Let's fix this.

🔹 The 3 Pillars of a Good Setup

Every setup contains these 3 pillars:

• Your preferred framework

• Your concept of execution

• Your mental state and preparation

If one of them isn't in place you'll struggle to find a setup or fail while executing.

Before we dive in, you might read this and think:

"bruh, I'm not stupid"

Well, its not about being stupid.

Its about executing in a strategic order.

Most act based on a directional bias instead of the state of the market and the given framworks.

🔹 1. The Framework

This is the most important thing.

90% of traders will look for a level to enter instead of checking where the market is and what framework can be executed.

If you boil it down there are 4 core ideas to execute and trade.

• Compression

• Expansion

• Retracement

• Reversal

EVERY setup is based on one of these frameworks.

While you're looking for a setup, analyze the state of the pair you're trading.

Note: You don't have to trade all of these frameworks.

You can focus on one of them and you'll be fine.

Less is always more.

It goes without saying that in bullish environments you look for longs and vice versa for bearish environments.

Remember MS is key.

🔹 2. Your Concept of Execution

After analyzing your pairs and finding a good framework.

You need a concept to execute on.

These are essential and define entry, exit, risk you're willing to take.

Here you will look for reference points to trade from and towards to.

• Imbalances (Gaps / Vectors what ever you want to call them)

• SR / SD zones

• Value Areas

• OBs

...

This is completely depending on your personal style of trading.

I'm not gonna pick a side here because this isn't about judging your style but more about refining your way of execution. 

🔹3. Your Mindset

This is essential.

Boooring af I know.

But its key.

Once you know which framework and concepts you're using, you simply scan and observe.

You'll see the setups just like that.

Without a painful search.

If you decide to solely execute on M-HTF retracements targeting OBs, you might only find 1-3 trades a week across 5 pairs.

AND THATS FINE.

If there's no trade, there is no trade.

Let go of the need to push those buttons.

Stick to your chosen framework and concepts.

If you try take a shortcut or skip a pillar you will lose, at least longterm. 

"Bruh, I need examples"

We will get there.

I first want you to understand the logic before looking at specific setups.