New here - wondering about trade journaling

asked by u/ayesha_siddiqui · 18h · 3 answers

Hey everyone, just joined. Been trying to get more serious about my trading over the past few months, mostly focused on equities and some $QQQ options. I keep hearing how crucial trade journaling is, and I've started doing it somewhat haphazardly. I log entry/exit, profit/loss, and a brief note on the 'why', but I'm not sure I'm doing it effectively.

For those of you who've been at this a while, what's one key piece of information you always make sure to capture in your journal that you found made a real difference in your learning? I'm trying to figure out how to best analyze my entries/exits beyond just the P/L.

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Top answers

  • u/thanawat93· 8 pts· 17h

    Most traders start with the basics you mentioned. The real value comes from consistent review of those notes, identifying patterns, and adjusting your strategy. Just logging isn't enough; you need to analyze it regularly.

  • u/diego_thompson· 0 pts· 16h

    Welcome! Trade journaling is definitely key. Beyond the entry/exit and P/L, I've found it incredibly helpful to include my emotional state before and after the trade, as well as a specific screenshot of the chart at entry and exit. It helps connect the dots on what I was seeing versus what I was feeling.

  • u/ananya_desai· 0 pts· 15h

    You're on the right track logging the basics, but the real value comes from consistent review. Don't just log; analyze your recurring mistakes and winning patterns weekly or monthly. Otherwise, it's just a data dump.

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