What do investors and ostriches have in common?
By: Tim Butt
What a crazy time we live in with the unknown, uncertainty and unpredictability all around us. Investing today seems like a guaranteed crapshoot (‘risky venture’) due to:
- Market volatility
- European debt crises
- Mideast unrest
- Competing global economies
- Financial service industry’s fraud, conflicts-of-interest, scams, excessive fees, un-truths, etc.
It’s no wonder investors have turned to the 4th human element in this week’s series; the ‘Fight or Flight’ response. They have turned to this response as a way to seek refuge (a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble) and relief (a feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress)? Who can blame them, right? Wrong!
“It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person; Always do what you are afraid to do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Unfortunately, What Ralph Waldo Emerson teaches us in the above quote is totally contrary to our mind’s initial response to various unknown and unpredictable situations…seeking the course of least resistance and that which is the easiest. Maybe it’s just my personality or stupidity but I was taught to challenge and fight the status quo with facts and the truths, as they will always triumph over the unknown and untruths. So…
Do This – Fight…face investment challenges head-on by taking control of your financial future and all your fears will quickly fade away.
Not That – Flight…by burying your head in the sand, putting your financial future in the hands of a financial advisor and hoping for the best. This course of action will never eliminate your fear of financial failure in today’s crazy times.
“You choose your happiness and sorrow long before you experience them.” – Unknown
So what will your choice be, fight or flight? Don’t forget, tomorrow is our Stock Trading Alert and Trading Strategy results. You don’t want to miss them and we hope you’ll want to share them with your investor friends!