No plan = no edge. This free Notion template helps you document your complete trading strategy, rules, and goals. Professional traders don’t wing it.
Why You Need a Trading Plan
A trading plan is your business document:
- Removes emotion from in-the-moment decisions
- Creates consistency in your approach
- Enables review of what’s working
- Prevents drift from your strategy
- Defines success before you start
What’s Included
Strategy Overview
Document your approach:
- Market focus (stocks, options, forex, crypto)
- Timeframe (day, swing, position)
- Edge description (what gives you an advantage)
- Typical holding period
- Account type and capital
Setup Library
Catalog your setups:
- Setup name and description
- Visual example (with screenshots)
- Entry criteria (specific rules)
- Exit criteria (targets and stops)
- Ideal conditions
- When to avoid
Risk Management Rules
Pre-define your risk:
- Maximum risk per trade (%)
- Maximum daily loss limit
- Maximum weekly loss limit
- Maximum position size
- Correlation limits
- Account drawdown rules
Position Sizing Guidelines
Document your sizing approach:
- Standard position calculation
- Volatility-based adjustments
- Conviction-based adjustments
- Adding to winners rules
- Scaling out rules
Entry Rules
Specific entry criteria:
- Required confirmations
- Time-of-day preferences
- Market conditions required
- News/event considerations
- Entry execution process
Exit Rules
Pre-plan your exits:
- Stop loss placement rules
- Target setting methodology
- Trailing stop approach
- Time-based exits
- Break-even rules
- Partial exit strategy
Trading Schedule
Structure your trading:
- Pre-market routine
- Trading hours
- Review schedule
- Days to avoid (news events, etc.)
- Vacation/break rules
Goal Setting
Define success:
- Monthly goals
- Quarterly goals
- Annual goals
- Process goals (not just P&L)
- Learning goals
Rules Checklist
Quick reference for daily use:
- Pre-trade checklist
- In-trade reminders
- Post-trade process
- Emergency rules (tilt, etc.)
How to Use This Template
Step 1: Duplicate to Notion
Click “Duplicate” to copy the template to your workspace.
Step 2: Complete Each Section
Work through every section thoughtfully. Don’t rush.
Step 3: Add Your Setups
Document each setup with specific entry/exit rules.
Step 4: Review Regularly
Check your plan weekly. Update it quarterly.
Step 5: Use It Daily
Reference your plan before and during trading.
Trading Plan Components
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Define what you trade and why |
| Setups | Specific patterns you trade |
| Risk | How you protect capital |
| Sizing | How you allocate capital |
| Entry | When you get in |
| Exit | When you get out |
| Schedule | When you trade |
| Goals | What you’re working toward |
Creating Effective Rules
Good Rules Are
- Specific - No ambiguity
- Measurable - Can verify compliance
- Actionable - Clear action to take
- Realistic - You can actually follow them
Bad Rules
- “Don’t let losers run” (vague)
- “Take profits at good levels” (subjective)
- “Trade carefully on news days” (unclear)
Good Rules
- “Exit at initial stop, no exceptions”
- “Take 50% profit at 2R, trail rest”
- “No new positions 5 minutes before major news”
Plan vs Journal
Your plan and journal work together:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Trading Plan | Pre-define how you’ll trade |
| Trading Journal | Record what you actually did |
The gap between plan and journal reveals your growth opportunities.
Common Plan Mistakes
- Too complex - Plans you can’t remember won’t be followed
- Too vague - Rules must be specific and actionable
- Never updated - Plans should evolve with your trading
- Never referenced - A plan only works if you use it
- Purely outcome-based - Include process goals, not just P&L
Limitations of Static Plans
A Notion template has some constraints:
- No integration - Doesn’t connect to your actual trading
- Manual tracking - Must verify compliance yourself
- No alerts - Can’t remind you of rules in real-time
- Historical gap - Hard to link plan to performance
Enhance Your Plan with JournalPlus
JournalPlus bridges plan and execution:
- Rule compliance tracking - See when you break rules
- Setup performance - Know which setups actually work
- Automatic journaling - Your trades logged without effort
- AI insights - Discover gaps between plan and action
- Indian broker support - Zerodha, Upstox integration
One-time payment. Lifetime access. Turn your plan into results.
Download Your Template
Every professional trader has a plan. Get yours documented today.
