How to Keep a Trading Journal

Stop trading in the dark. A professional journal is the only difference between gambling and building a real edge. Learn exactly what to track to stop blowing accounts.

1

Capture the Higher Timeframe (HTF) Context

Never just log the entry price. Always attach screenshots of your HTF bias and your execution timeframe. Did you trade with the trend or against it? Visual proof is mandatory.

2

Log Your Mental State (Before You Enter)

Are you taking this trade because it's a valid setup, or because you just got stopped out and want revenge? Logging your emotions like FOMO or Tilt is a cheat code for fixing bad habits.

3

Detail the Context, Not Just the Price

Assign crucial details to every trade: Timeframe (TF), Session (Asia, Frankfurt, London, NY), Point of Interest (POI), and Trading Style. Attach your pre-written Trading Plan to compare expectations with reality. This specific level of detail allows you to discover after 100 trades that your 'Asia' is unprofitable while '1H POI' is your biggest asset. Don't keep it to yourself: use the 'Share' feature to get feedback from your mentor or the community.

Why Spreadsheets Hold You Back

You can start in Excel, but calculating Risk/Reward, Win Rate, and organizing screenshots quickly becomes a nightmare. Manual spreadsheets consume your time and energy.

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