Article
A+ Trade Journal: Track Taken, Skipped, and Rejected Setups
Build an A+ trade journal that tracks taken trades, skipped A+ setups, and rejected B/C setups so selectivity becomes measurable.
Most journals only record what the trader did. That misses half the edge. The trades you skipped and the trades you rejected often explain more about discipline than the trades you took.
Short Answer
An A+ trade journal should track more than entries and exits. It should record A+ trades taken, A+ trades skipped, B/C trades rejected, and no-trade decisions.
That is how a trader measures selectivity instead of only measuring activity.
The Real Problem
A normal trade journal can make overtrading look like productivity. The trader sees lots of entries, lots of notes, and lots of outcomes. But the journal may not show whether the best trades were selected.
A better journal records the decisions that protected the account too.
Journal Categories
Separate the categories. A skipped A+ setup deserves a different review than a rejected C trade.
| Category | Meaning | Review Question |
|---|---|---|
| A+ taken | Valid setup executed | Was execution clean? |
| A+ skipped | Valid setup missed or avoided | Why did I not act? |
| B rejected | Almost setup rejected | Did the rejection rule work? |
| C rejected | Clearly weak setup rejected | What pressure created temptation? |
| No-trade | Market or trader state blocked entry | Was standing down correct? |
What to Track in MyLinedChart
MyLinedChart is useful here because the chart can preserve both action and restraint. You can mark the level, write why the trade qualified or failed, and tag the decision status.
That gives the weekly review a real sample of trading decisions, not just filled orders.
- Decision status: taken, skipped, rejected, no-trade.
- Setup grade.
- Missing condition.
- Chart level and trigger note.
- Outcome after the decision without changing the grade.
Common Mistake
The common mistake is treating skipped trades as invisible. If you skip a valid A+ setup because of fear, that matters. If you reject a C trade because of discipline, that matters too.
Both should be in the journal.
Next Step
For one week, log every candidate setup, not only trades taken. At review, count how many decisions protected the plan.
Then use Boredom Trades, FOMO Trades, Revenge Trades: How Non-A Trades Sneak In to identify the pressure behind non-A trade attempts.
FAQ
What should an A+ trade journal track?
It should track A+ trades taken, A+ trades skipped, B/C trades rejected, no-trade decisions, setup grade, missing condition, and review lesson.
Should skipped trades be journaled?
Yes. Skipped A+ setups reveal hesitation, fear, or execution issues that normal trade logs often miss.
Should rejected trades be journaled?
Yes. Rejected B/C trades show whether the trader is protecting the system from lower-quality decisions.
Sample Structured Chart Intelligence Exports
Review how chart drawings, annotations, OHLC, volume, and execution context become reusable structured data.
- Download XLSX Sample
Spreadsheet-ready chart intelligence for review, journaling, and process refinement.
- Download JSON Sample
Machine-readable chart context for Claude Code, ChatGPT Codex, automation-ready workflows, and technical review.
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