Simply put, a journal is where you would keep track of each day’s activity, including:
The trades you have made The trades you considered but did not make Profits Losses Other relevant information
Trading journals can be used by anyone regardless of trading experience. They are particularly useful for beginner traders who are just starting to find their way in the world of stock markets and trading, or those trying to identify their personal trading strategy. This can guide you into making better trading decisions in the future and learning more about the markets you are working within. The benefits of keeping a trading journal can include:
Building a framework for your strategies Helping to understand your motivations Avoid emotion-related impulses Avoiding questionable trades Performance-driven growth Insight into your strengths and weaknesses
How to Keep a Trading Journal
There are many ways to keep a trading journal. Some people will use a combination of formats, such as dedicated software, spreadsheets and notebooks. Whether you choose to use just one format or a combination will be down to personal preference. Some people prefer the speed of software, whereas others will find that putting pen to paper in a notebook helps them to consider the impact of each day’s trades.
Trading Journal Software
There is a wide variety of software available for traders to use. Some will be very basic and geared more to beginner traders. Other options will be more detailed and more suited to experienced individuals.
Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are a versatile way of tracking your trade progress. Through spreadsheets, you can accurately track all of the relevant information and format it into graphs, tables and charts to help show patterns and trading habits.
Notebook
This can be any notebook you want, although it should be entirely dedicated to your trading progress so that you do not have to wade through notes and shopping lists to find the data you are looking for.
What to Include in Your Trading Journal
When you decide to start keeping a trading journal, it can be challenging to work out exactly what it is you should track. Rather than looking at the journal as a whole, it can be helpful to split the important information into two sections:
Technical markers Performance markers
Technical Markers/Facts of the Trade
Entry and Exit date – The date and time that you start and finish your trade Markets – Which markets are you using Setup – The market conditions which triggered your trade Trade size and limits – How much you are able to risk and how much you can afford to lose Price on entry – The price when you entered the trade Price on exit – The price when you left the trade Profit or loss of the trade – The total value of your investment after trading has ended, including whether your made or lost money
Performance Markers
Goals and motivation – What was your end goal with the trade, and what motivated you to make it? Philosophy and how you implemented this – What is your personal philosophy regarding trading, and how was this implemented? Thoughts and feelings towards the trade – How did you feel before, during and after the trade? Errors and potential solutions – Did anything go wrong? What would you do to avoid this next time? Skills acquired – Did you learn any new skills through this trade? Skills that need to be improved – Is there something you feel you could do better? How will you do this? Future preparations – What can you do better in the future?
How to Create a Forex Trading Journal in Excel
Spreadsheets are a popular tool when creating a trading journal due to their adaptability. The easiest way to do this is to combine a simple spreadsheet containing the details of the trade with an annotated screenshot of your charts.
Spreadsheet
This is an example of what your spreadsheet may look like: It is a fast-paced environment, which means that losing focus can mean the difference between making a trade at the right time or not. Taking and annotating screenshots of trading charts can be a useful way of keeping track of information during the trading day. The completed and annotated charts can then help you to write up the relevant information in your spreadsheet. It is also a good idea to store your charts in a separate file on your computer so that they can then be looked at as part of your review process.
Things to Include on Your Charts
Make sure that your chart begins at least an hour before you start trading. This helps to provide context and background information for that day’s trades. Mark when you begin and end trading with either a vertical line through the chart or a text note. Throughout the day, make a text note of any changes in market conditions or errors that you make. Once you have finished trading, note down information such as how many trades you made, whether you made any profits or loss and anything you think should be done differently in the future.
How to Keep a Trading Journal
The exact look and content of your trading journal may vary depending on your needs, level of trading experience and what you hope to get out of it. However, there are a few key things that can make keeping a journal easier. By implementing these key tips, you will find that reviewing and understanding your journal is easier. Note down what it is that you are trading, the date, time and your intentions. The other information can be completed at the end of the trade. It could be that you think the information is worthless or that you don’t see how it would help you in the future. However, everything is relevant. If you start a trade but get sidetracked and do not end up exiting when you had planned to, note this down. If you were feeling stressed before starting your trades for the day, it should go in the journal. If recommendations by others influence your trades, write it in the journal. All of this information is relevant as it can help you to understand your motivation, influences and patterns. It could be that you need to set yourself reminders in case you get distracted. Perhaps trading when you are stressed will have an impact on which trades you choose or whether you are more likely to take risks. If someone gives you advice that pays off, then noting it down will remind you that it is worth listening to that person in the future. When it comes to trading, everything is relevant. It all works together to help create a more complete picture and can be used to perfect your strategies in the future. By making this a habit, you will be ensuring that the information you add is fresh in your mind and as accurate as possible. This is particularly important when it comes to the performance markers as they tend to be more emotionally based. 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Implementing a regular and consistent approach will allow you to optimize the journal’s potential to help you in the future. It should give a complete picture of the things which go wrong and the things which go particularly well. However you choose to keep your trading journal, the most important thing is to be consistent. WikiJob does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.
