Before the order
Record the session date, market, full contract symbol, expiry, call/put or futures type and lot size. Write the observation you want to study in one sentence. Add intended entry, stop, target, quantity and planned currency loss. Do this before the outcome is known; a reason written afterwards is easy to fit to the result.
During the attempt
Log order type, time, data status and any modifications. If you move an exit, record why and whether the original plan allowed it. Include cancelled and unfilled orders. A missed move is not a recorded loss, and an imagined fill should not be added to platform performance.
After the exit
Record the fill, exit reason and simulated outcome. Separate planned risk from the eventual loss or gain. Add one process label such as “followed plan”, “wrong contract” or “unplanned change”. Keep the explanation brief enough that you will actually complete it. A consistent short record is more useful than an elaborate unfinished spreadsheet.
Review groups of similar attempts
Group by segment and contract type before comparing outcomes. Do not combine a Gold futures exercise and a NIFTY option exercise solely because both gained ten points. Look for repeated process errors and missing data. A small sample or an attractive win rate does not establish a reliable expected return.
Use the template responsibly
The CSV download provides blank journal columns and one clearly fictional example. Replace the example with your own records. It does not connect to an account, import private data or calculate tax. Do not publish account identifiers or contact numbers in community posts. You can discuss a lesson without sharing personal information.
CLEAR ANSWERS
Questions & answers
Should I record unfilled orders?
Yes. They help distinguish execution conditions and process decisions from imagined outcomes.
Does a good win rate prove profitability?
No. Outcomes also depend on loss size, gain size, costs, sample quality and execution assumptions.
Is the journal download connected to my account?
No. It is a standalone blank CSV template with a fictional example.
Sources and further reading
Official information can change. Source links do not imply endorsement.