Building a Daily Journaling Habit: The 15-Minute Routine

Journaling is the single most impactful habit for trading improvement, yet most traders struggle to maintain consistency. The key is creating a routine that's sustainable—not ideal, but practical.

The 15-Minute Framework

Morning (5 minutes) - Before the session

1. Review yesterday's notes (1 min) 2. Check economic calendar for today's events (2 min) 3. Write down your focus for today—one thing (2 min)

Post-Trade (2 minutes per trade)

Immediately after closing a trade:

Evening (5 minutes) - After the session

1. What went well today? (1 min) 2. What would I do differently? (2 min) 3. Key insight or lesson (2 min)

Making It Stick

Anchor to existing habits: Journal right after your morning coffee or immediately when you close your platform.

Lower the barrier: Keep your journal open in a browser tab. Use voice notes if writing feels like friction.

Review weekly: Spend 20 minutes on Sunday reviewing the week. This is where the real insights emerge.

Using Practice—Process for Journaling

Session templates automate much of this structure. Create a morning template with your pre-market checklist and an evening template for review. The system prompts you at the right times, making consistency effortless.

The goal isn't perfection—it's consistency. A simple, sustainable practice beats an elaborate system you abandon after two weeks.