Every person on the planet is an investor in some form or fashion. Each of us invest our time, energy, emotions, and money both voluntarily and involuntarily.
We invest time commuting to and from work each day. We invest energy while exercising on the elliptical. We invest patience when teaching our children how to ride bicycles. The act by its nature is simply a part of who we are. However, the goal is not to simply be an investor but to be a productive one.
Three simple ways to increase success include thinking outside the box, evaluating where your resources are being used, and staying calm during the storm.
Step 1: Reimagine the word
The word “investment” is commonly understood to mean placing money in a location to increase it. While this is one version of investing, the definition can be broadened to include numerous other aspects. By reimagining what it means to ‘invest’, we open ourselves up to greater investment opportunities which may be overlooked. For example, there are many who do not look at retirement funding as an investment. Retirement funding isn’t always viewed as an opportunity for growth like real estate and starting a business, and people fail to maximize their yearly contributions. The value of compound interest generated over the years in a retirement account cannot be stressed enough. Another example of an underutilized tool is life insurance. Life insurance is a low-cost resource that can create generational wealth and ensure an inheritance is passed on to your dependents. Never grow tired of broadening your base of knowledge. The knowledge you gain from thinking outside the box will keep you one step ahead of the other investors.
Step 2: Conduct a self-evaluation
Good investors evaluate exactly where their time, energy, and money are going. Each day we invest in things that either help us grow, keep us stagnant, or push us backward. Therefore, it is imperative to know what we are investing in and the return on that investment. A thorough self-evaluation should occur regularly and can refocus the trajectory of your goals. It is important to maintain awareness of where your time is spent, financial goals and responsibilities, and overall net worth. This self-evaluation will help to determine the benefits and the disadvantages of your current investments. A self-evaluation can keep you centered on the right path and increase the likelihood of getting a positive return on your resources. Once you have broadened your definition and have a healthy gauge of your investments you can shift focus to creating a beneficial path forward. Each individual’s path will be different though. Some people will need to focus on how to use their time wisely, while others may need to strategize on diversification. Knowing your path forward will give you a strategy to use for success.
Step 3: Don’t panic when the storm comes
There will inevitably be days (or possibly seasons) when the markets (housing, stocks, etc.) take a downwards turn. As the adage goes, ‘what goes up must come down’ and all markets experience corrections and regressions at some point. The key is to not panic! Preparation for these times will come in the form of diversification and market awareness. The media uses headlines to incite emotional reactions. While it’s no secret that media outlets gain viewers by selling fear, you must not give in to that fear. Being an investor requires the ability to ride the highs and lows of a market. If you are in the market when a downturn occurs, use it as an opportunity to purchase more assets at a lower price point.
The foundation for becoming a better investor is to avoid complacency, never stop learning, and do not rest on your laurels.
A savvy investor continues learning whether cradled in the arms of success or marred in the depths of failure. Far too many people learn one aspect of investing with no broader knowledge of the ever-changing landscape (i.e. Blockbuster Video and online streaming services).
Leaders should always be learning. Once you master stocks seek out knowledge on real estate, then taxes, then cryptocurrencies, and so on. Sometimes knowing why a strategy is bad can be more beneficial than knowing why it’s good. Investing is a part of life. Be bold and venture to think far beyond your investment bubble.
Reimagining what it means to invest and thinking outside the box could be the tools that take you from the wishing well to the winner’s circle.
Tony Elion Jr. is a financial investor and author of “Sailor to Student.”
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