Success in Investing

“Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time.”

I am an avid listener of podcasts. Recently, I was listening to one that suggested the importance of FOCUS and, to not only read a book called The ONE thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan, but to read it 20 times in one year and then apply its principles to your business and life. Being an extremist by nature, I loved the idea, downloaded the book, and got started. During my first time through, I came across Arnold H. Glasow's quote, "Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time.” Simple, right? While I was reading the book from the perspective of what is the ONE thing I should prioritize above all else for the success of Members’ Wealth, I could not get the thought out of my head that this quote absolutely applied to success in investing.

Investing, like many aspects of life, can be influenced by the principles of simplicity and doing what is right. Yet, investing is a topic that many make complex very fast. Perhaps it is human nature. Perhaps it is an industry marketing technique: You need to hire us because this is complex. Complexity increases fear and fear sells. Simple does not sell. Well, we at Members’ Wealth think simple is harder for humans. And by keeping investing simple, we can add the most value for our clients.

Let’s dissect that quote and apply it to investing.

1. Doing what's right: When it comes to investing, doing what is right refers to making informed and well-researched decisions. It involves understanding the fundamentals of the investments you are considering and aligning them with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Conducting thorough research on potential investments, including analyzing financial statements, market trends, and macroeconomic factors, helps ensure that you are making prudent choices. This is where the experienced Investment Team at Members’ Wealth comes in. We work diligently and tirelessly to find sound investments.
2. The right way: The "right way" in investing entails adhering to a disciplined and rational approach. Emotions can often cloud judgment, leading to impulsive decisions that may harm your portfolio. By following a well-defined investment strategy, written down far in advance, and sticking to it through market fluctuations, you can help mitigate the risks associated with emotional decision-making. Diversification is also a fundamental aspect of the right way, spreading investments across different asset classes to reduce overall risk.
3. The right time: Time not Timing is critical in investing. Being aware of when to enter or exit the market is often discussed ad nauseum. However, attempting to time the market perfectly is challenging, even for seasoned investors. Instead of trying to predict short-term movements, we focus on a long-term investment horizon. This allows you to benefit from compounding returns, reducing taxes, and minimizing expenses. This is not to say you should not seek to take advantage of short-term market volatility. We very much are advocates of using the irrationality of short-term price movements to our advantage.

The quote's emphasis on doing what's right and doing it the right way also implies a commitment to learning and improving. The investment landscape is ever evolving, with new opportunities and risks emerging regularly. Engaging in continuous learning about investment strategies, financial markets, and economic trends can empower you to make better decisions and adapt to evolving circumstances. At Members’ Wealth we strongly believe the informed and educated investor makes for the most successful investors and thus we spend a lot of one-on-one time educating our clients.

Go it alone or get help? The principles of simplicity and doing what's right can be applied by individual investors, however, seeking a partner to provide professional financial advice is also beneficial. Members’ Wealth can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific financial situation and goals. We can help you develop a well-rounded investment plan, keeping in mind your risk tolerance and time horizon. But most importantly, we can continue to help you keep it simple, implementing and executing through all time periods.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your financial goals, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at Members' Wealth. We are here to support you every step of the way.

About the Author – Dane Czaplicki, CFA®

Dane Czaplicki is CEO of Members’ Wealth, a boutique wealth management firm that offers a comprehensive approach to serving individuals, families, business owners, and institutions. The firm’s goal is to preserve and grow its clients’ wealth to endure over time, while thoughtfully evolving its strategy to suit an ever-changing world. With over 20 years of wealth management experience, Dane and the Members' Wealth team thrive on bringing clarity and confidence to clients' unique situations. He believes everyone needs sound financial advice from someone whose interests are aligned with theirs, and is determined to put service before all else.

Dane received his MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University. Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, hiking and camping, reading, running, and playing with his dog. To learn more about Dane, connect with him on LinkedIn.

To get in touch with the Members’ Wealth team today, I invite you to email info@memberswealthllc.com or call (267) 367-5453. 

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