trading log/ journal

[killer]

anyone has an effective and fuss free way to keep your trading log? i know i'm suppose to do it for every trade i make, but it get tedious very fast. trying to get everything done takes several mins in a buy, then several more again when selling.

 

[holysmokes]

I have no fast way. But I can share what I did.

I keep a spreadsheet.

Each row is one trade. Columns include entry price, exit price, dates, stops if any, reasons for entry/choice, outcome evaluation.

This is fine for slow trades. E.g. if it's based on hourly or daily charts.

For fast trades, like 1 min or ticks, I also use a video capture software to record my thoughts. Specifically, I use Snagit.

I'll start the recording when I think a possible entry is forming. I'll verbally speak into the mic to record which set up is forming.

If the entry does occur, I'll continue recording. If the entry gets invalidated, I'll pause the recording.

Similarly, when an exit is coming up, I'll unpause the recording and verbalize my thoughts.

At the end of the trading session, I'll playback the whole capture and take my time writing down the journal.

Such a video log is almost 100% capture of my thought process and mouse action. You'll be surprised at watching your own mouse action when greed and fear rushes in.

 

[supratentorium]

I use microsoft onenote. I take screenshots and can write notes.

 

[xtwis7]

Excel only lor. Yet to add in comments on entry/exit.

 

[zxyong]

Just buy and sell normally during the day, then end of day then record all in excel?

 

[meltingpot]

Is it possible to retrieve trading history from brokerage? Like 1year+ ago data

 

[killer]

record journal not just for entry / exit target price. also need to take down reason why you enter/exit into trade, and also the chart of the trade. also need to take down your feelings at that time, emotions, external factors....

i used to do it in excel, until anti virus thought the file was infected and took it down sometime back. since then, i haven't got the patience to redo my journal.

thank you for the suggestion on video recording. however, trying to find back on what you did, esp if it's made sometime back, may take sometime, and sitting through a video is longer than reading it off the screen/ notebook. it is hands down the most detailed way you can record. may end up going down that path.

if your scarping, taking down notes will just take too long. by the time you finish writing for a opening trade, the time to sell may be already over

 

[blackie83]

Moi use google docs to update.

Can use google finance to auto update the stock price.