Journaling for Edge
Track the data that actually improves future decisions.
A trading journal is not just a diary. It is a database for improving decisions. Record the setup, market context, entry reason, stop, target, result, screenshots, emotional state, and whether you followed the plan.
The most useful journal fields are measurable. Track R-multiple, time of day, market, setup grade, mistake type, and management decision. Over time, this reveals which setups perform, which sessions hurt you, and which behaviors cost money.
Review matters more than recording. Set a routine to study winners, losers, and scratches. Look for patterns you can act on: remove bad trades, refine entries, adjust targets, or change when you trade. Edge becomes clearer when it is measured.