Importance of Consistency in Investing

Ever felt that invisible tug-of-war between your heart's desire to dive headfirst into a new investment venture and the voice in your head urging caution? Our modern world constantly glamorizes high-risk, high-reward stories, particularly when addressing the youth. But I'm here to sing a different song—one that doesn't race to the tune of fleeting trends but marches steadily to the rhythm of consistent, assured returns. It's often said, "The young can afford to take risks, for they have time to recover." Yet, while the allure of fast gains can be intoxicating, the reality remains that consistency often trumps velocity in the investment world. A 2021 study by J.P. Morgan illustrated this by comparing two individuals: one who consistently invested from age 25 to 35 and then stopped, and another who started at 35 and continued till retirement. Surprisingly, the first individual, despite investing for only 10 years, had more accumulated wealth at retirement than the latter. The magic? Time and compound interest. Being risk-averse doesn't mean you're setting yourself up for minimal returns. In fact, according to a 2020 report by S&P Global, over a 20-year investment horizon, around 85% of large cap fund managers failed to outperform the S&P 500—a benchmark of America's 500 largest publicly traded companies. This means that simply putting one's money into a diversified, low-cost index fund could yield more consistent results than chasing the high-risk "unicorns" of the market. The journey of investment isn't about how high you can jump, but rather how steadily you can walk. The thrill of high-stakes ventures might get the spotlight, but behind the scenes, there are countless success stories like mine, where consistency, patience, and a dash of caution paved the way to long-term financial prosperity. So, the next time you're on the precipice of a financial decision, remember: It's not the sprint that counts, but the marathon. And the power of steady growth will carry you across the finish line.

I spoke with Chad Smith, C(k)P®, Managing Partner of Reveille Wealth Management, on a recent episode of "The 7 in 7 Show with Zack Ellison" and was very impressed with his approach to managing investment portfolios. Reveille's systematic, disciplined, and process-driven approach to investing has led to strong results and offers significant advantages for savvy investors. ✔️ Consistency: Chad's approach establishes a framework for consistent decision-making, avoiding impulsive reactions to market fluctuations and short-term noise. ✔️ Objective Decision-Making: Emotions can cloud judgment, but Chad's disciplined process eliminates biases and ensures investment decisions are based on objective criteria. ✔️ Risk Management: With a focus on diversification and risk management strategies, Chad helps clients mitigate the impact of individual investment failures. ✔️ Enhanced Confidence: Chad's structured approach provides clarity and reduces uncertainty, increasing investors' confidence in navigating market fluctuations. ✔️ Improved Decision-Making: Thorough research, data analysis, and predefined criteria guide Chad's investment decisions, resulting in informed choices for clients. ✔️ Long-Term Focus: Chad's disciplined strategy encourages clients to maintain a long-term perspective, avoiding short-term distractions and benefiting from the power of compounding. View the full episode (#12) at www.7in7show.com. #wealthmanagement #investing #investmentmanagement #portfoliomanagement #financialplanning

The Kobe mindset that separates wealth builders from wealth chasers. “If they put in that work in the summer it won’t matter because I’ll have 10 years of work stacked up and they won’t catch me.” - Kobe Bryant This quote hit me different when I thought about finances. While everyone’s chasing the next hot stock “going to the moon,” smart investors are quietly stacking consistent gains for years. The Mamba Mentality for wealth building: —> Consistency beats intensity every single time —> Small daily actions compound into massive results —> While others look for shortcuts, you’re building an unbeatable foundation —> Ten years of steady work creates an insurmountable lead I see this constantly. People making $150k+ jumping from crypto to meme stocks to the latest investment trend, wondering why they’re not building wealth. Meanwhile, the boring investor staying disciplined with index funds and automatic contributions for a decade? They’re quietly becoming millionaires. The brutal truth: There’s no summer workout that makes up for 10 years of not training. There’s no hot stock tip that beats 10 years of consistent investing. Your wealth isn’t built in moments of brilliance. It’s built in years of discipline. Stop chasing the moon. Start stacking the work. When everyone else is looking for the next big thing, you’ll already be there because you never stopped building. What consistent financial habit are you stacking that others will never catch up to?