Before you log your first trade, make sure your journal is set up for both consistency and clarity. Use this checklist to get it right:
Format:
Excel, Google Sheets, Notion, or software (choose one)
Backups enabled (cloud sync or version control)
Core Fields
- Date/Time
- Asset/Instrument
- Direction (Long/Short)
- Entry & Exit Price
- Position Size
- Strategy/Setup Name
- Risk per trade & R:R
- Result (P/L, pips, %)
Optional but Powerful
- Emotions/mindset during trade
- Screenshots/chart links
- Trade rationale
- Post-trade reflections
- Tags (e.g., ‘breakout’, ‘overtraded’, ‘Asia session’)
Weekly Review Tools
- Summary dashboard
- Review questions (top 3 trades, key lesson, missed setups)
- Visual Asset Idea: Printable or Notion-based checklist template
