Why Two, Not One
One loss is variance. Two plan-following losses can still be variance—but two plan breaks or two oversized entries usually mean your state is off. The red line is about process temperature, not magic numbers.
The Index Card
- No new entries for 30–60 minutes after the second loss (pick one; write it down).
- Size stays flat or halves until the next session—never doubles to “make it back.”
- One allowed reset: walk, water, rewrite plan in five lines; if you cannot, you are done for the day.
Journal Fields That Matter
Log loss #1 / #2, rule followed?, emotion tag. On Sunday, count how many times the red line would have removed your worst trade of the week.
If You Break the Red Line
Tag it protocol breach—no shame, just data. Those rows are where coaching and analytics pay off.
Automate reminders and keep rules next to your journal on [Tradapt](/register)—build the habit before you optimize entries.