12.17How to maintain a trading journal
1What is it?
A trading journal records every trade: why you took it, entry, stop, target, size, result and how you felt.
2Why does it exist?
It shows your real patterns: which setups work, which mistakes repeat. You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
3Diagram
| Date | Stock | Setup/reason | Entry | Stop | Target | Qty | Exit | P&L | Emotion | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04-11 | INFY | Pullback to 50 DMA | ₹1,500 | ₹1,470 | ₹1,590 | 30 | ₹1,560 | +₹1,800 | Calm | Followed plan |
| 05-11 | XYZ | Telegram tip | ₹80 | — | — | 200 | ₹68 | −₹2,400 | FOMO | No plan → no trade |
4Quick revision
- Record reason, levels, result, emotion, lesson.
- Review weekly.
5Knowledge check
Q1. Why record emotions?Show answer
To spot emotional patterns behind losses.
Q2. How often review?Show answer
Weekly or monthly.
Q3. What does a journal reveal?Show answer
Which setups work and which mistakes repeat.
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