Been trading for a few months now but my record keeping is all over the place. Screenshots here, notes there, some stuff just in my head.
What do you guys actually track in your journals? Entry/exit points obviously, but what else makes a difference when you review your trades later?
Spend five minutes after each trade logging the basics: date, pair, lot size, entry/exit prices, P&L, and your broker’s spread. But here’s what actually matters - write down WHY you exited. Hit your target? Stop loss? Panic sold? This stuff shows your weak spots way better than any chart analysis. Check it weekly, not daily. You’ll probably find you’re making the same 2-3 mistakes over and over.
Been journaling for 6 years. The game changer? Screenshots of my chart setup before entering - not just price levels, but the whole picture.
I also log broker spreads at entry. Caught one broker screwing me during news events. That data got me to switch to better execution.
Track cashback services too - which one credited the trade and how much. Boring but it’s real money over time.
Here’s what most people miss: note if you followed your rules or broke them. I mark trades “clean” or “messy” execution. Messy ones usually lose money even with good setups.
Keep it simple. If logging takes longer than placing the trade, you won’t stick with it.
Risk percentage is key. I note my risk per trade to avoid getting greedy.
Start with a basic spreadsheet - include date, pair, position size, entry and exit prices, plus P&L.
Add a notes column for your trade reasoning and lessons learned. This helps in identifying which setups work for you.
I also track win rates by setup type. This shows which patterns are worth trading and which ones to avoid.
Track how you feel when you enter and exit trades. Jot down if you’re confident, rushing, or doubting yourself - this shows you the patterns that wreck your profits. Note what the market’s doing too. Trending? Sideways? Breaking news? Write down the time since certain sessions might work better for you. Most important part: record why you entered and why you closed. Compare this to your original plan later. The difference between what you planned and what you actually did? That’s where you need to improve.
Just track entry exit and P&L for each setup