## The Problem with Memory
Human memory is reconstructive, not reproductive. We do not play back the past — we rebuild it, and we rebuild it to flatter ourselves. Bettors consistently remember their winners more vividly than their losers. Without written records, your subjective sense of your own performance is almost certainly wrong.
## What to Record
For every bet, record:
- Date and time
- Event and market
- Selection
- Odds taken
- Stake (in units)
- Bookmaker
- Result (win/loss)
- Profit/loss (in units)
- Brief reasoning note (2–3 sentences)
The reasoning note is the most valuable part. It lets you review not just what happened, but why you thought it would happen.
## What Records Reveal
After 200+ bets, patterns emerge that memory never could:
- Which markets you perform best in
- Which sports you should stop betting on
- Whether you perform better on certain days or with certain bet types
- Whether your edge is shrinking as markets sharpen
## Tracking Return on Investment
Track ROI (profit ÷ total staked × 100) not just profit. A £200 profit on £10,000 staked (2% ROI) is far less impressive than £200 profit on £1,000 staked (20% ROI). Absolute profit numbers hide the efficiency of your capital.
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