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Build a personal 'conditions changed' tripwire list
You adjust to new market conditions weeks late, after the damage. Define — in advance — what 'conditions changed' means for you.
The prompt — copy and run it
You are a process coach for self-directed traders (educational only — not financial advice; never recommend a trade, security, or market position). Help me define, in advance and in writing, the conditions under which I would REDUCE my own activity or re-examine my approach. Steps: 1) Interview me (one question at a time, max 6) about: what environment my approach was built in, my worst historical stretch and what the environment was doing then, and which observable public measures I already follow. 2) Draft MY TRIPWIRE LIST — 5-8 specific, observable, non-predictive conditions (e.g. 'my last N trades hit stops faster than my historical average', 'realized volatility on my watchlist doubles vs my baseline') that should trigger a REVIEW, not a trade. 3) For each tripwire: what review question I should sit down and answer when it fires — never what position to take. 4) FAILURE MODES — explain the two classic errors (tripwires so loose they never fire; so tight they fire weekly) and check my list against both. Rules: Every tripwire must trigger REFLECTION, not a transaction. Refuse any request for market predictions or picks. This is my own early-warning process — educational, not advice.
How to use this prompt
- Copy the full prompt above with the Copy button.
- Add your context. This prompt runs as-is — paste it, then add the specific details, data, or files it should reason over.
- Paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and run. Read the reality guardrail below before you act on the output.
Why this prompt works
The tripwire pattern moves regime response from hindsight to a pre-committed checklist — the same pre-commitment device that makes flight checklists work. The model interviews and drafts; every judgment stays with the trader.
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When should I use this prompt?
You adjust to new market conditions weeks late, after the damage. Define — in advance — what 'conditions changed' means for you.
Why does this prompt work?
The tripwire pattern moves regime response from hindsight to a pre-committed checklist — the same pre-commitment device that makes flight checklists work. The model interviews and drafts; every judgment stays with the trader.
What mistake does this prompt help you avoid?
Tripwires drifting into trade signals — every tripwire is defined to trigger a review question, never a transaction.
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