AFTER THIS LESSON
You will be able to
- Record expected and actual data
- Separate decision quality from random PnL
- Identify recurring mistakes
What to record before entry
Record signal time, route, prices, average prices, available size, spread/ROI, fees, funding/countdown, warnings, size, leverage, and exit conditions.
- A screenshot does not replace structured values.
- The entry rationale must be testable.
What to record after exit
Capture all four fill prices, executed size, every fee, actual funding, holding time, maximum spread widening, and exit rationale.
- Compare expected and realized spread/ROI.
- Record partial fills and manual plan deviations separately.
How to review a series
One result can be random. Group records by exchange, token, holding time, and error type to find repeatable patterns.
- Late entry and slippage.
- Excessive size for available depth.
- Funding-time or contract-identity mistakes.
- Violation of a predefined risk limit.
PRACTICE
Minimum viable journal
Take one past signal and fill two columns: what IXOR showed and what actually filled. Record the difference and its cause separately.
? Show answer
Answer: In the IXOR column, keep estimated Sell/Buy and average prices, spread/ROI, funding, countdown, fees, and signal time. In the actual column, record all four fills—Short and Long entry and exit—plus real fees, funding, and timestamps. Then calculate the difference and name its cause: delay, slippage, depth, funding, or a plan violation. Evaluate process adherence separately from financial outcome.
Lesson checklist
- Expected data is saved before execution.
- All four fills and costs are recorded.
- Outcome is separated from process adherence.
Common mistakes
- Recording only successful cases.
- Evaluating a strategy from one trade.
Progress is recorded automatically when this section appears on screen.