How to Keep a Trading Journal
Why keep one
A journal is a written record of your trades and your reasons. Memory is unreliable, especially after a loss. Notes let you see what you actually did.
What to write
For each trade: the date, the instrument, the reason for entry, the planned stop and exit, the result, and whether you followed your plan. Add one line on how you felt.
How to review
Once a week, read the entries together. Look for repeated mistakes, such as entering early or moving a stop. The goal is to find habits, not to blame yourself.
Keep it simple
A simple notebook or spreadsheet is enough. A short entry that you write every time is better than a long one you skip.
Key points
- A journal records trades and the reasons behind them.
- Note whether you followed your plan.
- Review weekly to find repeated habits.
- Keep it simple enough to do every time.
Trading involves risk. This article is for education and information only. It is not investment advice, and no course or method promises a return or removes the risk of loss.