I have been trading for a few years now and have my entry and exit clearly strategies defined.  I find I am able to make consistent profits in the market yet a part of me is not content with the progress that has been made on the personal and emotional aspects of my futures trading.  Anyone who says that there is no psychological component to trading futures, or that psychology is not relevant in trading is an idiot.  I have battled with overcoming my own weaknesses and still continue to do so.  Often, I would contemplate the reason I broke a rule or got distracted and promise myself not to do it again.  Interestingly enough all came to naught in this area.  Then I started keeping a Trading Journal.  Once my taken, missed and mismanaged trade entries and my actual trading performance was logged, I found the brutal truth could no longer be ignored.  I had to be completely honest with myself about my futures trading skills and my trading psychology or I would have to stop keeping a Journal.  In a Trading Journal, the truth is black and white.  You can easily review where you are performing well and why you are at times failing or breaking rules.  Armed with this great tool you can begin to make changes and self mentor your way to higher profits.  Once you keep a Trading Journal you can no longer ignore the truth of what emotions  and failure to exercise self control cost while taking trades in any futures market.  Maintaining a Trading Journal is the single greatest self mentoring tool available.  Checkout our Trading Journal forums and start your own Trading Journal today.