The Trade
- Ticker: $TSLA
- Time in Trade: ~3hr 11min
- Gain: +0.87%
- Volume: 4.2M
Looking at the chart, TSLA had been showing weakness and trending down through most of the day. I got in trying to catch a reversal or bounce near the $249.85 zone, expecting a potential move back toward VWAP or beyond.
And while I technically got what I was hoping for, a pop – I can’t honestly say it was a good trade.
What Went Wrong
Here’s why I consider this a bad trade, even though I walked away with some green:
- I chased the entry: I didn’t get in on strength or confirmation – more like hesitation and FOMO.
- No clear plan: I had a vague idea of where price could go, but no real risk/reward laid out.
- Late entry into a bounce: By the time I entered, TSLA had already made its first real push. I was trading the middle of the move, not the setup.
- Emotion over logic: I held and hoped instead of managing it actively. My exit was reactionary, not calculated.
What Went Right
Let’s be fair—I did manage a small win. So here’s what worked:
- Didn’t let red run too far: I kept my stop mentally close and was ready to cut it if needed.
- Exited into strength: I took profit near a short-term resistance area, just below the 200EMA, which ended up holding.
- Learned from it: More than anything, I recognized mid-trade that this wasn’t one to repeat.
Key Takeaways
- A green trade isn’t always a good trade. If the process is sloppy, the outcome doesn’t justify it.
- Enter with intention, not emotion. Chasing price because it “feels like it’s going to move” isn’t a strategy.
- Reward vs. risk has to be there before I enter – not something I figure out after I’m in.
Final Thoughts
This TSLA trade was a win in P&L but not in performance. It felt rushed, unplanned, and reactive – three things I’m actively working to avoid.
That’s the point of Brew Trades though – track every trade, reflect honestly, and improve.