Stoic Investor

Posted By: Admin

The key traits of how to behave in a manner that enables wealth Creation was written some 2000 years ago.. which we may not have still gotten to follow.

“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own…”
– Epictetus

The Stoics would have us remind ourselves daily - to actively differentiate between what is and is not under control - to not waste energy over uncontrollable adverse events.

Where many people worry endlessly about things out of their control, the Stoics think their energy is better spent thinking of creative solutions to problems, rather than the issues themselves.

Investing in Equity Mutual Funds also presents the same choices, what is not within your control and what is within your control ?

What is not within your control ?

How is the stock market going to behave tomorrow morning, next week, next month or even next year ?
How is the global economy going to be a year down the line, better or worse ?
What is the tax change that the government will do next year ?
How is the Indian economy going to be a year down the line, better or worse ?
How will the scheme you have invested in will perform in the next year ?

What is within your control ?

That if I invest Rs 15,000 per month as per the planner, in the next 8 years my son’s higher education cost will be provided for;
If I saved Rs 10,000 for the next 20 years I would have created the necessary retirement corpus for myself;
If I keep increasing my SIP by the increment I receive every year, then I can retire at least 5 years earlier than what I had anticipated;

Either you must accept the fact that the stock market volatility is too much and unbearable to you and then keep your money safely in the bank or if you are clearly seeking a higher return and corpus, then learn to ignore the machinations of the stock market, as long as you are in it for the long term, you will make good returns.

Are you doing the things within your control effectively and efficiently with discipline. Then most likely you will get to your goal

Be a stoic investor, ignore the things outside your control and do the things within your control extremely thoroughly and systematically. I am sure the goal that you are chasing will be achieved.

Do let us what you feel about it?

By: Babu Krishnamoorthy

Chief Sherpa