You don't have to monitor the markets all of the time. Just because you don't day trade, you're no longer a trader. You're still considered as a trader if you buy and sell at any time that you want. It is when patience comes and makes it as an important attitude to cater your success through trading. Patience in a manner that you only sell when you get into profit, you don't make yourself affected by any bad news but you go according to your plan of when and how much is the price you're about to sell.
I read what you explained and it is like trading management that every trader must do, patience and also a self-made plan is what traders must do to be successful, without proper trading management traders will have a hard time getting success.
Knowledge of product and market is very essential before start trading. Need to have skills in order to judge the correct price movement direction which will help you to book the trade and sell out when you make profits or looks market may dip. Reading charts is also an added advantage as help you book the trade. And last would be luck which at times also plays a role.