Most traders don’t review their trades properly. They think they do, but staring at a chart after a loss, shaking your head, and moving on doesn’t count. If you’re serious about improving, you need a structured, no-BS process.
Here’s how to review your trades properly so you stop making the same mistakes and actually improve.
Step 1: Record Every Trade (Yes, Every Single One)
If you don’t track your trades, you’re flying blind. Every trade should be logged. That means:
Entry & exit price – Where you got in and out.
Position size – Small size? Full size? Be specific.
Trade direction – Long or short.
Time of entry & exit – Timing matters.
Reason for entry – Be brutally honest. No “I just had a feeling.”
Outcome – Win, loss, break-even.
Screenshots – Before, during, and after. Your memory isn’t reliable—document it.
Pro tip: Use a Google Sheet or a journaling tool like Notion or Edgewonk. Pick something and stick with it.
Step 2: Review the Data (No Excuses, No Shortcuts)
Every day, go through your trades and ask:
Did I follow my plan? If not, why?
What worked? What did I do right, and how can I repeat it?
What failed? Be specific. “Got stopped out” isn’t enough—was my entry poor? Did I chase? Was the setup weak?
How was my execution? Fast and decisive, or hesitant and sloppy?
What could I have done better? Adjustments, not regrets.
Example: You shorted USDJPY because it rejected a key level, but you got stopped out. Looking back, price never actually shifted market structure. That’s a review-worthy mistake.
Step 3: Identify Patterns (Find Your Strengths & Weaknesses)
At the end of the week, look for trends in your performance. Ask yourself:
What setups worked best? Certain time of day? Market conditions?
What kept failing? FOMO trades? Bad risk management?
Are my winners bigger than my losers? If not, my risk-reward is broken.
Do I perform better on certain days/times? Some traders thrive in the morning and struggle in the afternoon.
Spotting these patterns helps you refine your edge.
Step 4: Adjust & Improve (Stop Repeating Mistakes)
Now take what you learned and apply it:
Cut out bad trades. If a setup keeps failing, stop trading it.
Double down on strengths. If a strategy works, trade it more.
Fix execution issues. Late entries? Hesitation? Work on it.
Adjust risk management. If losses are too big, tighten up.
A review is pointless if you don’t make changes.
Step 5: Set Goals for the Next Week
Forget vague goals like “I’ll do better.” Be specific:
“I will only take trades with a clear shift in market structure.”
“I will not chase after missed trades.”
“I will stick to my stop-loss and not move it.”
Make it black and white. No gray areas.
Final Thought: Treat This Like a Business
Pros review their performance. Amateurs hope for better results. If you want to make money, start acting like a pro.
Do your daily and weekly trade reviews. Identify what’s working, cut what isn’t, and refine your edge. Simple, not easy. But that’s trading.
Now, go do the work.
Leave a Reply