Money Making Goals

How I Shifted from Outcome to Execution-Based Goals

Mar 24, 2025

When I first started trading with a half baked process, I thought the key to success was setting lucrative financial targets. I want to make £100,000 this year or I need to hit ten per cent returns every month, 4R a week, that’s how I thought it worked. I believed these targets would keep me motivated and focused. But I soon realised that this mindset was a trap.

The more I fixated on money, the more emotional my trading became. If I was behind target, I would force trades to catch up. If I was ahead, I would take unnecessary risks, thinking I had "house money" to play with which would effectively put me on a tilt. My decisions became erratic, risk management went out the window, and my results were inconsistent. I probably would have been better at playing the slot machine.

The Trap of Outcome-Driven Goals

I used to set goals that focused on outcomes, the amount of money I wanted to make or the returns I expected. Many of us continue to engage in this practice, myself included, and I believe there is no harm in this as long as it serves to motivate us. But what I came to understand is that I cannot control the market or when a high-probability setup will show up. What I can control is my execution. And that’s what I started to focus on.

In my early days, focusing on profits led to:

Overtrading, as I tried to make up for slow periods
Taking excessive risks, trying to reach targets faster
Chasing losses, forcing trades when conditions weren’t right
Emotional decision-making fatigue, driven by fear or greed

This mindset created a cycle of inconsistent results and unnecessary stress. I had to reframe my goals if I wanted to build a sustainable trading career, by the end of 2018 I had defined a different set of goals which have evolved since.

The Goals That Actually Worked for Me

As I progressed in my trading journey, I realised that the most effective goals weren't tied to profits or outcomes. Instead, I needed to set goals focused on improving my process, things I could control. Here are the some of the key goals I’ve adopted, which have made a significant difference in my trading since the start of 2019:

1. Execution-Based Goal

Only take trades that fully meet my predefined criteria, avoiding impulsive or emotional decisions.

In the past, I took trades on a whim, hoping for good outcomes. That often led to losses. I learned that discipline in following a structured plan is key to reducing errors and improving consistency. I let price come to me in my zone, understanding the where, why and how I’m looking to execute the trade with an alternative plan should the trade fail.

2. Risk Management Goal

Maintain an average risk-to-reward ratio of at least 1:2.5 while initially ensuring no single trade risks more than 1-2% of my capital.

I remember a time when I didn’t take risk management seriously enough. In 2018 I would sometimes put too much on the line in high-risk setups, thinking it would pay off. It didn’t, and there were times where I would be in a 50% drawdown in a matter of weeks on my trading account. Sticking to a well-defined risk structure ensures that no single trade can wipe me out, and it keeps my capital intact for future opportunities. If you want to win at this game, you need to stop the rot, the rot being money pissing out of your trading account due to poor risk management and decision making.

3. Psychological Discipline Goal

Develop a routine to reset mentally after a tough trading session, whether through journaling, meditation, or exercise.

Emotional trading used to get the best of me. After a losing streak, I’d feel the urge to make up for it right away, which always led to more losses. Now, I focus on mental reset routines after tough days regardless whether I’ve had a winning or losing week, which helps me stay grounded and clear-headed. I have also created my own structure and mental framework by understanding my own mindset and figuring out what works best for me.

4. Market Adaptability Goal

Review market conditions weekly, daily and adjust my approach as needed while maintaining my core trading principles.

I learned the hard way that the market isn’t static. Sticking to the same strategy regardless of changing conditions caused me to miss out on opportunities or get caught in losing trades. Now, I make it a habit to regularly assess the market and adjust my approach based on what’s actually happening, while always respecting my trading fundamentals. I often refer to this as contextual environment and this plays a key part in my trading setup and expectancy for a given trade.

5. Learning & Development Goal

Spend at least one hour per week reviewing past trades and refining my strategy based on performance insights.

In the beginning, I didn’t really track my trades. I would just jump from one trade to the next without reviewing what worked and what didn’t. After adopting the practice of regular review and self-reflection, I’ve been able to refine my strategy and identify areas for growth. I’m a huge proponent of recording my trading sessions which I then later watch back, particularly around trade execution. Even when I'm not actively trading overnight sessions, I allow the screen recording to run in case the price enters zones where I expect reactions. This way, I can revisit the order flow at those levels and further enhance my pattern recognition skills for future trade setups.

Tracking Progress and Adjusting Goals

One of the most important habits I developed was tracking my progress. I used to only look at my P&L, but that gave me a skewed view of my performance. I realised that real growth comes from reflecting on execution, not just the money made or lost.

I now use a trading journal where I track:

The reasons for each trade
My emotional state at the time
The market conditions during execution
The overall trade management process from planning, executing through to resetting.

By reviewing my trades regularly, I can see where I need to improve, make necessary adjustments, and keep focusing on the process rather than the outcome.

Setting Goals that Align with Reality

What I’ve learned is that trading goals should be challenging but realistic. It’s important to set goals that push me to improve but don’t set me up for frustration. Every trader has different circumstances, and goals need to fit within those realities. The key is not to aim for quick wins, but to build sustainable growth over time.

Final Thoughts: Process Over Outcome

If you’re still setting trading goals based purely on money, I encourage you to rethink your approach. Ask yourself:

Am I focusing on what I can control?
Do my goals improve execution, risk management, and my mental discipline?
Am I tracking my progress and adjusting my approach regularly?

If the answer is no, it’s time for a change.

The best goals aren’t about reaching a financial target. They’re about becoming a trader who focuses on the right process and generates consistent profits over time.

The money tree will come when you master the process.