Lesson 14: Trading Plan and Journal System

Learning outcomes: Create a trading plan, set KPIs, and build a review habit.

A trading plan is your operating manual. It protects you when emotion is high and decisions are rushed.

A journal turns trade data into feedback so you can improve.

Core concepts

• Plan structure: markets, sessions, setups, risk rules.
• KPIs: win rate, average R, drawdown, expectancy.
• Review cadence: weekly and monthly.
• Process scoring keeps focus on execution.
• Templates improve consistency.

Execution framework

1. Write your plan in one page first.
2. Create a daily checklist and a weekly review checklist.
3. Log every trade with context and execution notes.
4. Review KPIs weekly and update goals.
5. Refine rules only after consistent data.

Annotated walkthrough

Example: weekly review that highlights your best setup.

1. Collect the last 20 trades in one sheet.
2. Calculate average R and win rate.
3. Identify the best setup and the worst behavior.
4. Set one change for next week.

Common mistakes

• Tracking only profit, not process.
• Skipping reviews after losses.
• Changing rules every week.
• Failing to record screenshots.

Checklist

• Trading plan documented.
• Daily checklist in place.
• Journal entries complete.
• Weekly review scheduled.
• KPIs updated.

Practice drills

1. Fill out a week of journal entries.
2. Create a KPI summary for that week.
3. Write a one-page improvement plan.

Pro tips

• A plan is useless unless you follow it.
• Review rhythm beats random adjustments.
• Your journal is your edge tracker.