Today was the first active step in the trading journey I’m documenting here. I traded Exxon Mobil (XOM) using a 1-minute chart strategy, but the real chart wasn’t on the screen—it was in my head.
The Entry: The Grip of Fear
When I put the money in, I felt fear.
It’s an honest admission. Despite the preparation and the capital, that initial “Buy” click triggers a survival response. The mind immediately starts calculating the “what ifs.” This is the hurdle every trader must clear. If you can’t act while feeling that fear, you can’t follow a strategy.
The Setup: The “One Candle” Rule
I didn’t trade on a feeling; I traded on a mechanical signal.
- The Logic: I waited for the market open to define a range. I identified a Bullish Order Block—a specific red candle on the 1-minute chart where institutional buyers stepped in.
- The Execution: I entered as a green candle broke above that block, setting an automated One-Cancels-Another (OCA) order.
- The Numbers: Entry at $149.35, Stop Loss at $148.31, and a Limit Sell at $150.31.
The Exit: The Power of Feeling Nothing
A few minutes later, the trade hit the target. The order filled at $150.31 and the position closed.
When the sale closed, I didn’t feel anything.
This is the most important lesson I learned today. In the beginning, there is fear, but the goal is to reach a state of total detachment. If you are thrilled by a win, you are just as vulnerable as when you are terrified by a loss.
Why “Boring” is Better
Trading requires a cold, mechanical approach. If I am emotional, I am a “Paper-Handed Rabbit” or a “FOMO Monkey.” If I am detached, I am the Zen Bull.
Today’s success wasn’t the $28.80 profit. The real success was reaching that state of “boring” neutrality. That is the only way to provide value and service to this journey in the long run.
| Metric | Value | Technical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Asset | Exxon Mobil (XOM) | Chosen for liquidity and sector strength. |
| Strategy | One Candle Rule | 1-Minute Bullish Order Block. |
| Entry Price | $149.35 | Triggered on the break of the 15:31 red candle. |
| Stop Loss | $148.31 | Protective floor to prevent the “CRASH” fear. |
| Take Profit | $150.31 | 2:1 Reward-to-Risk ratio target. |
| Outcome | Filled (Win) | Order closed automatically via IBKR. |
| Net Profit | $28.80 | Collected from 30 shares. |