Blog
Trading journal blog
Articles for futures traders who keep a trading journal, whether you trade a live account, a sim account or a prop firm evaluation or funded account.
The blog covers the work around the trades, not the trades themselves. You will find what to write in each journal entry, the questions worth answering before and after a trade, and which numbers to read once you have a few weeks of entries: net after fees, results in R, and how often you followed your own plan. It also covers how to review a journal after each session and at the end of the week, and how to tie each day's journal total to your broker statement so the record matches what you were actually paid or charged.
Every example uses futures contracts, ticks and round-turn fees, with the arithmetic shown. There are no market calls, signals or trade ideas here, and nothing on this blog is advice to buy or sell a contract.
Trading psychology journal: how to track emotions and rule breaks (futures)
A trading psychology journal for futures traders: label your state before entry, log rule breaks as yes/no facts, and cost each pattern in dollars and R.
Weekly trading review: a 30-minute template for futures traders
A weekly trading review template for futures traders: tie the week to your statement, read five numbers, cost your mistakes and pick one rule in 30 min.
Trading journal metrics: what to measure, how to calculate it, and when to trust it
Trading journal metrics for futures: net after fees, R, expectancy, profit factor, drawdown and rule adherence, with formulas and a worked 10-trade book.
What to write in a trading journal: 40 questions and filled-in futures examples
What to write in a trading journal: fields, 40 questions to answer before, during and after each trade, and filled-in futures examples you can copy.