How to be a heroic investor
Unless you are a soldier, policeman, fireman or even possibly a public school teacher, you are probably thinking, “I don’t risk my life on a daily basis. I am not a hero. What does this have to do with me?”
The answer is that anyone can be an inspiration to others. It is your humanity that makes you a hero. Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Theresa could have just sat on the sidelines, completing crosswords in the rest home and no-one would have blamed them. Instead, both risked their lives to bring change. You may not battle against leprosy, poverty or the British Empire, but you may choose to take on something that is bigger than you and try like crazy to overcome it. You may make it your life’s work to eradicate third-world debt, save the numbat or invent a better-tasting lamington.
You may choose to skip the huge awesome goals and consider simply doing one thing each day to make the world a better place. You may never risk your life in the course of your goal, you may only risk poverty, failure or humiliation. Those are still big risks, and big risks are often placed smack bang in front of big rewards and big achievements. Know that you may fail. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Your local library will be filled with autobiographies from real-life heroes who bounced back from overwhelming odds: Nelson Mandela, Richard Branson, Motzart, Rembrandt, Abraham Lincoln and others. (Lincoln’s story of three failed elections, failed businesses, the death of his wife, his son, and quitting politics is particularly inspiring; because nothing seemed to go right for him until after he turned fifty. 50!)
Locals like “Aussie John” John Symond , Dick Smith , Jamie McIntyre , Li Cunxin and Peter J. Daniels had to overcome fabulous odds to succeed. “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki was almost 50 before retiring and writing his best-seller.
Walt Disney and Henry Ford were both bankrupt before they finally risked everything, yet again, to make their fortunes in later life.
My desktop on my computer has a picture of a surfer that inspires me: I learned to surf on my 33rd birthday, despite the fact that I cannot swim! The words next to the picture say “It is never too late to be what you might have been”.
Be a hero: never give up. Invest into yourself.
Jeremy Britton is an active financial planner and a lazy investor. His kids think that he’s a hero but they also know the truth: true heroes regularly show their humility.
Inspiring words and investment tips available from www.24hourwealthcoach.com
Jeremy Britton is an Authorised Representative #298825 of Financial Planning Services Australia, ABN 11 010521810, AFSL 225982.
