Why I Track Every Investment Decision and You Should Too
When I first began investing, I didn’t think much about documentation. I thought, "Why bother writing things down? I’ll remember everything." But as time passed and trades accumulated, I realized something important: the biggest lessons in investing aren’t found in the charts — they’re found in your own behavior.
That’s when I started tracking every decision I made, every buy and sell, every thought and emotion. And it changed everything.
How It Started
In the beginning, I just used a simple notebook. I wrote down what I bought, why I bought it, how I felt at the time, and what my expectations were. Then when I sold, I recorded the result, my reaction, and whether my original thesis held true.
After a few weeks, patterns began to emerge—not in the market, but in me.
What I Learned from Tracking My Behavior
- I was more emotional than I thought. I reacted strongly to small losses, and I sold early out of fear—even when the logic told me to hold.
- My reasoning wasn’t always solid. Sometimes I bought something just because it looked cheap or because it was “trending” on social media.
- I improved faster. Seeing my mistakes in writing helped me correct them quickly. It was like having a mirror for my investing brain.
How I Track My Investments Today
Now I use a simple spreadsheet with the following columns:
- Date of Trade
- Asset Name
- Reason for Entry
- Emotional State
- Target/Exit Plan
- Actual Outcome
- Lessons Learned
I also keep a private journal where I write longer reflections. For example, “Why did I panic-sell this ETF?” or “What was I feeling when I ignored that red flag?”
Why You Should Track Your Own Decisions
Most new investors focus only on charts, trends, and financial news. But those things change constantly. The one constant in your portfolio… is you.
Here’s why tracking is so powerful:
- It reveals your blind spots. Maybe you take profits too quickly. Or maybe you avoid high-quality assets out of fear.
- It builds discipline. When you write down your plan, you’re more likely to stick to it.
- It separates luck from skill. Sometimes we make money for the wrong reasons. Tracking helps clarify that.
Common Mistakes I Uncovered by Tracking
- Buying right after a green candle without checking fundamentals.
- Selling too fast because I was afraid of “losing gains.”
- Getting influenced by social media FOMO (fear of missing out).
How It Changed My Results
After three months of tracking everything, I didn’t just make fewer mistakes — I made better decisions overall. My confidence grew, my process improved, and I stopped treating investing like guesswork.
I also became more patient. Writing down a plan made it easier to stick to it. I no longer sold just because prices dropped. I sold because the plan told me it was time.
My Advice to You
- Start small. Use a notebook or Google Sheet. Don’t worry about perfection.
- Be honest. Write down how you truly feel — even if it’s irrational.
- Review monthly. Spend time looking back at your past trades and see what you can improve.
- Make it part of your habit. Investing without reflection is like sailing without a compass.
Final Thoughts
We all want to become better investors. But reading books and watching videos can only take you so far. The real growth comes from understanding yourself. And the best way to do that is by tracking what you do — and how you think — every time you invest.
Your best teacher in investing isn’t the market — it’s your past self. Learn from them. 💡
Ayzalme
Just a calm man, enthusiast for investing and technology.