How to fill your "free time" as a trader: (full breakdown...feel free to bookmark + use) Some of you guys know that the majority of big success in trading comes from waiting + letting positions work. I've talked about this before, but it's too important not to resurface. So how do I fill the extra time with stuff that makes me a better active investor? Welp, I'll walk you though some of what I do. Do Deeper (Continuous) Research: > what's a stock/theme that everyone's overlooking > find cases of unusual volume, insider activity, etc > study thematic maps + changes over time (finviz) > dig into geopolitics, macro > study historical tendencies of markets > look deeply into teams & leadership > understand a company's moat + potential > keep digging into your current positions' thesis Education: Youtube channels: > @Qullamaggie (swing trading mechanics) > @RealSimpleAriel (swing trading, etc) > Amit Kukreja @amitisinvesting (deep dives) > @TheShortBear (all his old stuff is gold) > @TraderLion (well-rounded edu) > Harvard Innovation Labs (business acumen) > Institute of Trading (retail trading) > @Wordsofrizdom (conversations with traders) > @tbpn (business acumen + current events) > will be adding more Substacks: ~ @agnostoxxx's (good mix of macro, ideas, thoughts) ~ @zastocks's (trading principles, lessons, research) ~ @citrini (all around, thematic deep research) ~ @market_sleuth (experience, vix + data, lessons) ~ @michaelsikand, asymmetrical bets (deep research) ~ @babyfolio's edelbridge alpha ~ @Gaetano2026 (photonics, ai, tech) ~ @ren_stocks (ai infra, semis, tech) ~ @TheBigBerbowski (great guy, great writeups) ~ others based on your style Messing around with tools + seeing how to best leverage: - @finviz_com (screeners, thematic maps, etc) - @GodelTerminal (data feeds, movers, news) - @tradingview (charts, scripts, indicators) - bunch more, but it's always good to mess around with tools & see what functionality can help you Interviews: - @StocksOnSpaces (@stocktalkweekly + team) - @MollySOShea's interviews (ceo's, executives, pe/vc) - @patrick_oshag's interviews (investing + market legends) - @amitisinvesting's interviews (ceo's, public companies, leaders) Data dropping favs: + @ConnorJBates_ (data, charts, sentiment) + @WallStJesus (surveys, price target changes, etc) + @KobeissiLetter (deep analysis, news, data) Books: = Reminiscences of a Stock Operator (psych + cycles) = Market Wizards (pattern recognition across styles) = The Psychology of Money (behavior > strategy) = Poor Charlie’s Almanack (decision making) = The Outsiders (capital allocation) Use "free time" to get smarter on markets, business, and how the game works...without overtrading or making stupid trades out of boredom. Other things to observe: > use @finviz_com's (or other) screeners for top gainers/losers, most active, unusual volume, etc. > what headlines dropped + how did those assets react? > which names have relative strength consistently? > what doesn't make sense? > what are the next big catalysts for the markets overall, and your assets? Don't forget to review performance: - use some of your "free time" to go back and review the past few months/years. - what worked? what didn't? why didn't it work? what should I change? - where did I break my rules? - average holding period, % performance month by month, etc - know what makes you tick. find your weaknesses. use data to understand your style Physically LEAVE the desk & screens: > go for a walk > workout > go to the coffee shop > hang out with your kids > drive around with your wife This isn't everything, but it's a start on how to best use your "free time" during, after, or in between trades. The edge isn’t doing more…it’s doing less, with better information. Luc