Tagging principles that scale
- Use short, fixed labels instead of long phrases.
- Separate setup tags from outcome tags.
- Avoid duplicate tags with different capitalization.
- Document tag meanings so your process stays consistent.
A practical tag taxonomy
| Tag group | Examples | Use in review |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | cash-secured-put, covered-call, debit-spread | Compare results by strategy or playbook. |
| Context | earnings-week, high-volatility, trend-following | Identify where a setup works or struggles. |
| Execution | late-entry, partial-exit, rolled-position | Audit process quality and discipline. |
| Learning | mistake-sizing, mistake-entry, plan-followed | Track recurring behavior patterns. |
What a useful journal note looks like
Keep notes short and structured. Use the same mini-template each time:
- Why now: what triggered the entry.
- Risk plan: what would make you reduce, exit, or adjust.
- Execution context: anything unusual about fills or timing.
Best practice: Put emotional reactions in a separate line (for example, “hesitated on exit”) so you can audit behavior without rewriting the trade thesis.
How tags and notes improve weekly review
During your weekly review, filter by one setup tag and one execution tag. Then read notes only for that slice. This makes patterns easier to spot than reviewing all trades at once.
FAQ
How many tags should I use per trade?
Use only the tags needed for filtering and review. Many traders do well with 3 to 6 tags per trade.
Can I change my taxonomy later?
Yes, but document the change and keep a mapping so older reviews stay interpretable.