Use Trade Autopsies as a Continuous Learning Tool
Traders should regularly conduct what I call a ‘trade autopsy’—carefully analyzing and evaluating both winning and losing trades. For me, performing weekly or monthly trade reviews was an invaluable learning tool when I was starting out, and it played a huge role in sharpening my trading skills.
At its core, a trade autopsy is simply asking yourself a set of questions after each trade is closed. You can create a simple checklist or include it in your trading plan. The key is consistency—performing these trade reviews can significantly shorten your learning curve and help you establish an effective trading routine.
Key Questions for Trade Setup and Entry
Some questions will only apply to winners or losers, but all are useful for reflection. You can expand this list, but stick to the basics for now:
- Could I have avoided this failed signal?
If a trade resulted in a loss, determine whether it was due to over-trading, not following your strategy, or simply a normal statistical loss. Identifying avoidable losses helps prevent repeating the same mistakes. - Why was this a good signal?
Even losing trades can be well-planned if they follow your strategy. Describe what made the setup obvious and note the surrounding market conditions. For example: “Long-tailed bullish pin bar at support in an uptrend, pin bar tail breaking below support, signaling a false breakout.” - What confluence was present (or absent)?
Assess whether key factors—like a support level, moving average, or Fibonacci level—aligned with your trade. Compare winners and losers to identify patterns and differences in confluence. - What other factors influenced the trade outcome?
Look for additional elements that may have affected the result, such as market momentum or multi-timeframe confirmations. - What went right or wrong after entry?
Did something happen post-entry that influenced the trade, like another supporting signal, a breakout, or market reaction?
Questions for Trade Management
Trade management is often where traders make costly mistakes. The more you micro-manage your trades, the worse your results may be. Ask yourself:
- What if I had left the trade alone?
Avoid exiting early at small losses or small gains. Let your pre-determined risk (1R) play out to give your strategy a fair chance. - What if I didn’t exit before the profit target?
Assess whether a “set and forget” approach would have been more profitable. - Would a wider stop loss have made a difference?
Sometimes, slight adjustments in stop placement can turn a loss into a winner. - Would a different risk-reward ratio have helped?
While aiming for 2R–3R is ideal, consider whether smaller, more realistic rewards could have been more effective. - What was my mental state during the trade?
Sleep, stress, and preoccupation can all affect decision-making. If you’re checking trades obsessively or unable to focus elsewhere, it’s likely due to over-trading or risking too much per trade.
Conclusion
Don’t get lost in endless “what if” scenarios. Stick to the basics and focus on learning from each trade. A trade autopsy isn’t just about analyzing setups and charts—it’s about understanding your behavior as a trader.
Over time, these reviews will help you better grasp your trading strategy, recognize patterns in your performance, and cultivate the mindset needed to maximize your results.
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