Trading Journal Cheat Sheet
A trading journal is a tool for self-awareness. It helps identify psychological mistakes and improve discipline.
Why keep a journal:
• Trading is mostly psychological.
• A journal reveals recurring errors and helps fix them.
• No analysis = no progress.
What to log for each trade:
1. Entry signal and reasoning
2. Emotions at entry
3. Position size and stop-loss
4. Profit target or exit strategy
5. Emotions at exit
6. Execution mistakes and lessons learned
7. Confidence in yourself and the system
8. Stress level throughout the trade
What to track:
• Position sizing
• Risk/reward ratio
• Win rate and profit factor
• Size of winners and losers
• Best setups and time of day
Takeaway:
Journaling isn’t about perfect trades — it’s about consistent execution. Measure, analyze, improve.
