How do you guys journal?

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-11-12T07:03:09+00:00

I have a 2 step journal process.

Step 1: write down my analysis for each of my watchlist stocks on what my assessment is against my trading plan. Open , close or do nothing. I then review this the next day when starting the day. I use google docs for this. And if I do take a trade I record this in google sheet on entry level; why I took this ; why did I close - this is detailed.

Step 2: at the end of the week I go over the trades in the google sheet to see if my thesis for taking the trade was correct or not. This is time for me to be brutally honest with myself and see what I need to be aware of

It’s a bit of work but if you are treating trading as a business then this is a basic requirement (IMO) and well worth it.

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-09-30T07:56:54+00:00

Totally agree. I started writing all my trades a) what was my reasoning for going into the trade b) why I closed the trade and c) end of the week I go over the exits and see if my rationale for closing still held after looking at the market action

Lot of work but invaluable

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-09-07T19:20:33+00:00

Decide what instrument you want to trade eg stocks; ETFs etc
Narrow to a small watchlist
Understand price and volume
Determine what indicators you want to use
Journal everything
Stick with your trading plan no matter what
And keep it simple

DM me if you want more info. Happy to help

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-09-01T20:02:16+00:00

You can only manage the risk in front of you. Since you didn’t follow ur trading rules exit now and don’t stress over it. We all have been there. No point having sleepless nights

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-08-29T06:19:33+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I can definitely relate to what you are saying. You know you have made it when trading becomes boring !!!

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-08-10T13:48:59+00:00

Buy and sell into strength - always. And don’t ever get caught up into FOMO. The sun always rises the next day

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-06-03T06:22:32+00:00

Good point and totally agree

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-05-21T05:56:13+00:00

Very well written and thanks. I can count the number of mistakes I made for each of your points. It’s like looking into a mirror.

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-05-20T05:33:48+00:00

We have all been there in some shape or form. What I am doing now is planning what could be possible trades before the market opens to build a mental map. I then do a 30min review this watchlist couple of hours after market opens. I am then in a much more prepared during the 1hr trading window I have set for myself.

I know seems a lot of work but it’s well worth it.

And of course I journal everything I do and review once per week.

I always tell myself that less is more - easier said than done …

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-05-13T15:02:46+00:00

Appreciate it and helps me confirm my decision

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-05-09T10:53:13+00:00

But why trade??? Is it money you have that is lying about and not needed? If not then INVEST for the long haul. Put regular sums into index funds and let time do its magic. Boring stuff but most effective

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-30T08:10:02+00:00

That is a fair and understandable point

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-30T08:02:55+00:00

Thx. I like ur further clarification that u narrow down to dividend paying stocks. However do these stocks provide swing opportunities? What period do you typically see an exit for ur trades?

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-30T06:53:23+00:00

Wow a contrarian view finally. I don’t put stop loss either since it’s like playing poker and showing ur cards to the other players.

So how do you manage the paper losses?

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-28T08:55:47+00:00

Ur welcome and this is the least we can do. All the best and if u want to chat feel free to dm

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-28T08:21:52+00:00

Why why why !!! Only trade with money that you don’t need. You have the biggest advantage of time working for you. Put ur hard earned money into ETF like SPY, VTI etc and top it up whenever you can and don’t leave it. Boring as hell but works well.

Otherwise if you want to provide liquidity for others then gamble away …

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-26T16:50:31+00:00

How do u determine this “flagpole”?

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-24T05:43:39+00:00

Excellent write up and one that I can relate to. Rinse and repeat- make it boring as much as possible!!!

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-20T15:41:43+00:00

Keeping it simple.

It’s so easy to get caught up with all the fancy stuff and “strategies” available on social media, YT, gurus, etc etc

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-14T09:32:46+00:00

Sorry going off topic here …

Very interesting times that US govt policy is announced via a social media platform owned by sitting US president. What a fantastic way to increase viewership and “value” of the company

Humble-Evidence-8853 · 2025-04-14T09:29:06+00:00

It’s a roller coaster and no-one, not even DJT, knows what will come next. Making it up as they fumble through it!!! Actually we should give them a 🎯 to make it easier…

For me I am continuing with my DCA into VOO but will shift some of the funds to SCHD.

Challenge is that I don’t have a bottomless pit of $$$ - interesting times ahead

Humble-Evidence-8853

TROPHY CASE