A trading routine is an important part of your trading plan. It will direct you: 

1. When you will analyze the market and plan your trades
2. When you will watch the market to place trades
3. When you will check the market during the day

Example: I will analyze the market each evening before I go to bed. I will watch the market for an hour in the morning. I will check the market when each new 4-hour bar is formed when I am awake.

What is My State of Mind?

Being calm and relaxed is an important part of trading. By following your routine, you can be in a better state of mind than if you run in and look at the market to try and get a few pips then check the price randomly throughout the day. The routine will help keep your emotions in check.

Example: 

1. I will look for signals and not guess which way the market is going.
2. I will only trade in the direction of the trend.
3. When I lose on a trade, I will see what I can learn and move on to the next trade.
4. I will not try to get even with the market.
5. I will not be hard on myself for losing on a trade.
6. I will use each trade as a learning experience.

What Are My Goals

Take some time and think about what you want to accomplish as a trader.

1. Do you want to trade for a living?
2. How much return can you realistically expect from trading based on your knowledge and experience?
3. Your goals do not even have to be about making money.
4. You would like to be more disciplined or gain more confidence.
5. These goals can be personal.
6. What do YOU want to get out of this?
7. Use these goals as your motivation when times get tough.

These goals will be your vision, and you must always keep your eyes on the prize! A goal to make a lot of money is not really a goal.

Your Trading Journal

Make sure you log the details of each trade and record the reasons for the trade-in your Trade Tracker sheet.

Later down the road you can look back and evaluate your trades and see how you are progressing. I have looked back at my trade journal and have seen just how much I have grown as a trader. My first entries were extremely basic and as I’ve progressed, my trades make more sense to me now.

I have gained a lot of confidence throughout my career and by looking back at my trades, I have really been able to evaluate myself and see if I am getting closer to my goals. This tool will help you tremendously overall, so take a few minutes each day and log your trades. You will be happy you did!

Summary

Your trading plan will be just like a flight plan, it will keep you on target toward your goals.

Review your trading plan every time you trade and stick to the plan.

You may have all the knowledge out there and be able to talk the talk but if you do not have a trading plan on how to use your knowledge then you will never be successful.

Keep in mind when you start to trade with real money you are starting a business, and you will need a plan to be successful in that business. If you do not want to start a business, then stick to Demo trading and treat it as a game.