Trading journal: what to record after a trade
An example entry that is easy to come back to when you review your own decisions.
In this article
A useful note helps you recover the context without guesswork. A few consistently filled-in fields and a comment of your own are enough.
One entry, one trade
A journal is easier to review when every entry has the same structure. The date, asset and time help you find the right line without reading all your notes.
Separate fact from observation
Write the parameters from the interface in separate fields. Keep your own assumptions and explanations in the note. When you review the entry again, you will see what was known at the time.
An example structure
Start with the date and asset, add the entry parameters, and leave room below for the result and a comment. Using the same field labels helps you compare entries.
An illustrative journal structure.
Field | Example entry |
|---|---|
Date and asset | 8 September · EUR/USD |
Time | 14:32 · UTC+3 |
Observation | Marks saved from a screenshot of the interface. |
Next review | Check the entry time against the chart's time zone. |
Come back to the entry later
When you review an entry, add a new note and keep the original text. That way the difference between your first observation and the later explanation stays visible.