Journal tags for "skipped due to wide spread": why they help discipline
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2026 10:09 am
Most journals record trades taken. Recording trades skipped, with the reason, adds a layer that often reveals more about discipline.
A simple tag: "SKIP-SPREAD". Every time a valid setup appears but spread is above your threshold, log it with the time, pair and spread.
Why it helps:
1. Visibility. You can see how often the filter activates and at what times. If it triggers mostly at 08:00, maybe your entry window should start at 08:05.
2. Validation. Later, check what those skipped trades would have done. If they mostly lose (as is common when spreads are wide), the filter is earning its place.
3. Discipline reinforcement. Logging a skip is an active decision, not a missed opportunity. It turns "I didn't trade" into "I followed the rule".
4. Broker monitoring. A sudden increase in spread skips might indicate a change in your broker's pricing.
Other useful skip tags: SKIP-NEWS, SKIP-LIMIT (trade count reached), SKIP-TILT.
Does anyone track skipped setups systematically? What did you learn?
A simple tag: "SKIP-SPREAD". Every time a valid setup appears but spread is above your threshold, log it with the time, pair and spread.
Why it helps:
1. Visibility. You can see how often the filter activates and at what times. If it triggers mostly at 08:00, maybe your entry window should start at 08:05.
2. Validation. Later, check what those skipped trades would have done. If they mostly lose (as is common when spreads are wide), the filter is earning its place.
3. Discipline reinforcement. Logging a skip is an active decision, not a missed opportunity. It turns "I didn't trade" into "I followed the rule".
4. Broker monitoring. A sudden increase in spread skips might indicate a change in your broker's pricing.
Other useful skip tags: SKIP-NEWS, SKIP-LIMIT (trade count reached), SKIP-TILT.
Does anyone track skipped setups systematically? What did you learn?