Build a journal that actually moves your P/L
Copy the templates, follow the weekly ritual, and let FTMO tools do the heavy lifting.
Start the FTMO US ChallengeUpdated: August 27, 2025
The stack: FTMO tools + your personal journal
Use FTMO’s built-in analytics for objective numbers and keep a personal journal for context (setups, emotions, mistakes). Together, they close the feedback loop.
| Component | What it’s best for | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Account MetriX | Live MDL/ML usage, Trading Objectives progress, reward requests | Tools & Services → Live MetriX |
| Trading Journal | Simple logging of trades & notes inside Client Area | Included with Free Trial & beyond |
| Statistical App | Market probabilities & number-driven prep | Part of the apps you unlock |
| Mentor App | Behavioral guardrails (reminders, limits, focus) | Enabled on Free Trial too |
| Your Notion/Sheets | Deep context: setup tags, screenshots, mindset & AARs | Templates below (copy/paste) |
Journal schema (copy into Notion or Google Sheets)
These columns balance speed and depth. Keep them short; detail goes into Notes.
| Field | Type | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date / Session | Date / Text | 2025-08-27 / NY AM | Clusters results by session |
| Symbol | Text | EURUSD | Correlated risk awareness |
| Setup | Multi-select | BOPB, VWAP-pullback, News-aftershock | Win-rate by setup |
| Risk % (R) | Number | 0.50 | Normalizes outcomes |
| Entry / SL / TP | Numbers | 1.1020 / 1.1005 / 1.1050 | Audit sizing & R/R |
| Result (R) | Number | +1.6 | Expectancy math |
| Reason to enter | Short text | Range break + retest | Enforces clarity |
| Emotions | Tag | Calm / FOMO / Tilt risk | Pattern detection |
| Rule check | Checkbox | SL placed? Size ok? MDL? | Discipline score |
| Screenshot | File/URL | Link to chart | Visual recall |
| Notes (AAR) | Long text | “Entered after CPI; should wait 2nd pullback” | Lessons to reuse |
E = WinRate × AvgWin(R) − (1 − WinRate) × AvgLoss(R). Improve either win rate or payoff and your path to +10% shortens.
Daily script (15–20 minutes total)
Pre-market (5–7 min)
- Check Account MetriX: MDL/ML utilization and objectives.
- Open Statistical App & Economic Calendar for key times.
- Pick one A-setup and pre-compute lot size; set alerts.
Post-trade (5–10 min)
- Log the trade in Trading Journal + your Notion/Sheets.
- Mark Result (R), emotion tag, and one lesson.
- Screenshot chart and attach the link. Done.
Sunday review: the ritual that compounds
Block 30–45 minutes. The aim is to change next week’s behavior, not to admire stats.
| Step | What to compute/look at | Decision you’ll make |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Outcomes | WinRate, AvgWinR, AvgLossR, Expectancy | Keep or tweak take-profit/stop strategy |
| 2. Setups | R by Setup tag | Double-down on top setup; drop bottom one |
| 3. Risk | Max day drawdown vs MDL; open risk peak | Adjust daily stop or per-trade % |
| 4. Time | Session performance (NY AM, NY PM, Asia) | Trade only the profitable window |
| 5. Behavior | Emotion tags vs outcomes | Set a Mentor App reminder for the #1 bias |
Dashboard tiles (make these in Notion/Sheets)
- This week WinRate • Expectancy • Net R • Best setup
- Risk Max daily drawdown % • % of days you hit personal stop
- Discipline Sessions traded in plan • Journal completion rate
- Behavior Top emotion on losers • Time-of-day you overtrade
Pairing with FTMO tools (how to use each one)
Account MetriX
Keep it pinned while you trade. It shows live MDL/ML usage and flags when objectives are met so you can stop trading and advance.
Trading Journal
Log quickly in the Client Area. Add a one-line “why” and a lesson. Your personal system holds the deeper context and screenshots.
Statistical App
Use before New York. Check number-based behavior for your symbols to plan realistic targets and stop distances.
Mentor App
Create a reminder like: “One A+ attempt around CPI; stop if −1R.” Simple nudges prevent tilt.
Example: 2-week mini-sprint (you can reuse monthly)
| Day | Focus | Rule | Journal note prompt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | A-setup only | Max 2 attempts | Why was this A-setup? |
| Tue | Partial at +1R | Trail to +1.5–2R | Did partials reduce regret? |
| Wed | Event-day | Half size; stop-limit | Slippage vs plan? |
| Thu | Time filter | Trade NY AM only | Quality improved? |
| Fri | Review day | No new ideas after −1R | What to fix next week? |
| Mon–Fri (Week 2) | Repeat with 1 tweak | Same risk % | Did tweak raise expectancy? |
Color-coding (fast visual feedback)
- Green = Setup in plan
- Red = Broken rule
- Yellow = Late entry / FOMO
- Indigo = News trade
Common pitfalls (and fixes)
| Pitfall | Why it hurts | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No screenshots | Memory is biased; can’t review structure | Attach a chart image link each trade |
| Inconsistent risk % | Expectancy math breaks; MDL risk spikes | Lock one risk % (e.g., 0.5%) until Verification |
| Over-tagging | Too many setups ≈ no edge | Cap at 3 core setups; prune weekly |
| Skipping Sunday | No deliberate improvement loop | Calendar a fixed 45-min block; checklist above |
FAQ — journaling for FTMO US
Do I really need both the FTMO Trading Journal and my own Notion/Sheets?
Yes — FTMO’s tools give objective stats and rule tracking (MetriX, Statistical App, Journal), while your personal journal captures context and psychology. Together they improve expectancy week by week.
Can I use these tools on a Free Trial?
Yes. Free Trial access includes most apps such as the Statistical App, Mentor App, Account MetriX, and Trading Journal — perfect for building habits before you pay for an Evaluation.
What should I track if I only track five things?
Setup, Risk % (R), Result (R), Session (time of day), and one Lesson. Everything else is a bonus.
How does journaling help psychology?
Writing down emotions and decisions increases self-awareness — a key predictor of consistent performance per FTMO’s psychology content. Awareness + journal → fewer repeats of the same mistake.
Ready to systemize your trading?
Run the daily script, do the Sunday review, and let FTMO’s apps keep you honest.
Start the FTMO US ChallengeOfficial resources
- Tools & Services (Live MetriX overview)
- Free Trial: apps included (MetriX, Trading Journal, Statistical, Mentor)
- Why is there a fee? (lists apps you unlock)
- Apps and value for traders (Journal, MetriX, Statistical, Mentor)
- Economic Calendar (prep your week)
- Trading psychology: awareness & journaling
Disclosure: FTMO US provides a simulated, educational environment. Performance in simulation does not guarantee real-market results. This article includes a partner affiliate link.