When it comes to trading psychology, we often think about mindset, discipline, and emotion management. But there’s one simple tool I’ve leaned on for years — both as a trader and a teacher — that often gets overlooked.
It’s the pause.
And no, I don’t mean a break-the-computer, walk-away kind of pause (though sometimes we need that too). I mean a deliberate, present-moment pause — one that creates space between what just happened and what comes next.
How I Learned to Embrace Silence
In my years on Wall Street and now running my own trading education business, I’ve had to speak a lot — live training, presentations, coaching sessions.
Over time, I realized something:
I don’t use a lot of filler words.
Not because I’m scripted. I’m not. But I’ve learned to pause instead of saying “um,” “like,” or “you know.” When my mouth needs to catch up with my brain, I pause.
It might feel awkward at first — especially if you’re not used to it. But that tiny moment of silence actually clears the clutter. It lets me speak more clearly. And that’s key when I’m trying to teach or explain something complex.
Because it’s not just about what I say — it’s about what my students hear and absorb.
So What Does This Have to Do With Your Trading?
Plenty.
That same concept of a pause — of creating intentional space — can be a game-changer for your trading results.
Let me show you a few ways to use the pause in your own practice.
1. Pause After a Winning Trade
You entered a trade.
You exited that trade.
You made a profit.
Now pause.
Even just 30 seconds away from your charts can ground you.
It gives your nervous system a moment to reset. It keeps you from slipping into overconfidence and jumping right into another setup that doesn’t necessarily align with your plan.
That pause helps you remember: your goal is consistent execution, not nonstop action.
2. Pause Days — Built Into Your Calendar
One of the best ways to protect your trading psychology is to plan days where you don’t trade — on purpose.
These can be for:
- Family vacations
- Rest after a big trading push
- Personal anniversaries or memorial days
- Market events (like Jobs Day — the first Friday of every month — which I usually avoid)
You don’t need to earn these days off. You need them to perform well long-term.
Think of it like an athlete’s rest day or a surgeon’s day off. These pauses are part of what makes them great at what they do.
Pauses aren’t just about stepping away — they’re also a chance to sharpen your skills.
⏸️ If you’re not sure what to do during your pause, use that time to review your rules or revisit one of Hima’s recent coaching sessions. You can find those types of sessions here at http://himareddy.com/events along with the relevant product portals.
3. Pause Instead of Forcing Trades
Let’s say you sit down to trade.
You do your scan for setups.
And… nothing meets your criteria.
Don’t force it.
Pause the trading — and pivot to education.
That might look like:
- Reviewing your past trades and notes
- Re-reading your trading rules
- Watching coaching sessions or workshop recordings
- Exploring new tools or strategies without pressure to execute
Pausing here protects your capital and strengthens your skills.
Trading Psychology Means Knowing When Not to Trade
If there’s one thing I hope this post makes clear, it’s this:
You don’t become a great trader by doing more. You become one by doing the right things at the right time.
And sometimes, the right thing is a pause.
So take a look at your trading habits.
Where can you insert small, intentional pauses — right after wins, during off days, or in the quiet moments where nothing is setting up?
Those are the spaces where growth can happen.
Share Your Experience
Have you ever used the pause — whether after a trade, during a rough patch, or as part of your trading routine?
💬 Drop a comment below and share your experience.
You never know who it might help — and together, we can build a more thoughtful trading community.
~Hima
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