I failed my first FTMO $100K challenge on day 14. Not because my strategy didn't work — but because I revenge traded after two losses in a row and blew through the 5% daily loss limit.
I decided to approach the second attempt differently.
The Journaling System I Built
Before attempt #2, I created a simple journaling process:
Before each trade:
- Screenshot the setup
- Write 1-2 sentences on why I'm taking it
- Note my emotional state (1-5 scale)
After each trade:
- Record the result
- Note any mistakes
- Rate rule adherence (did I follow my plan?)
What the Data Revealed
After two weeks of journaling, a pattern emerged: every trade I took when my emotional state was 3 or below (anxious, frustrated) had a negative expectancy. My calm trades were +$420 average. My stressed trades were −$280 average.
The fix was simple: if my emotional score drops below 3, stop trading for the day.
The Second Attempt
With that rule in place — and journaling every trade — I passed in 21 days.
Stats:
- 47 trades
- 66% win rate
- 2.1 profit factor
- Maximum daily loss: 1.8% (rule: stop at 2%)
The Lesson
Prop firm challenges aren't won by finding a better strategy. They're won by executing your existing strategy with discipline. Journaling creates the accountability loop that makes that possible.
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