We'd all want to uncover a foolproof strategy to make money quickly and without taking risks when investing. But the reality is that cannot be expected. Good investment, like training for a marathon, involves time, effort, and perseverance, no matter how much we may wish to avoid this reality.

In addition to my day job as an advisor, I enjoy running. Since I have run a few marathons, I am in a good position to go into detail about how good investing is like a race. And if you're a frequent reader here, you know that I love sharing examples from my own life to illustrate points about money.

Please stay with me; this will be a long one—length of 26 miles. I am an investment adviser in Columbia, Missouri, and I have been in the business for 15 years, so I know how to get my customers good returns. I've put in the time and effort so they don't have to, and I like to think of it as giving them the benefit of having done a marathon without suffering through it.

How The Marathon Can Teach You About Investing

I am the most annoying runner ever. It could be the use of stickers. 13.1! 26.2! Nobody likes the stickers. It was suggested that I run at least five races before making such a bold claim about my running ability on my vehicle. I decided to decorate my Yeti using stickers.

My connection to the stickers could be a lot better. I don't consider myself a crazy runner. The David Goggins fellow is not me. If my shins hurt, there's no way I'll run 70 miles. I've never completed a whole marathon before (in ).

My longest race occurred on the Branson, Missouri's Dogwood Canyon trails. This race takes place over two days. The first day's goal is 25,000, while the second day's goal is 15,000. My sincere goal is that this race's narrative will help you see the similarities between investing and long-distance running.

Very Difficult Are The First Five Miles

I believed I would die inside the first five miles of Dogwood Canyon. It felt congested, and I had trouble finding a comfortable rhythm. The landscape seemed foreign, and the whole experience was disorienting.

Investors often need help in the first few months of their market careers. The items and the language used to describe them may appear complicated and alien to you. Having a lot of money at risk might make it even more stressful. The most effective course of action is to proceed.

Proper Footwear Is Essential

I got a brand new pair of trail shoes a few weeks before the big event. When compared to regular running shoes, trail shoes provide superior traction for use off-road. Many sprained ankles taught me the value of well-fitting footwear. Picking the correct investments for your age, ambitions, and life situation is crucial when putting your money to work. Learning the fundamentals takes a little while, but it might take a lifetime to grasp all the complexities fully.

Run Downhill And Walk Uphill

I sprained my Achilles tendon when I originally attempted to run the Dogwood Canyon Marathon. This is a hilly route, and I chose to run the steeper sections—a huge blunder. I did the same event three years later, but this time I was much more prepared.

I savored the uphill sections and relaxed on the downhills, letting gravity do the heavy lifting. Let compounding do the heavy lifting for your investment returns if you are an ambitious saver with a well-balanced portfolio.

Hope For Nice Weather, But Expect Bad Weather

In late October, Missouri hosts the Dogwood race. The temperature might be as low as 20 degrees at the start of the race and as high as 70 degrees at the end of the day. Every day, I dress in layers. Market and economic trends of the future are as unpredictable as the weather. Instead of attempting to guess what will happen, have a portfolio ready to perform well in every circumstance.

Be Your Competitor

My pride would have me racing at full pace and passing other runners on the first 25-kilometer leg. Yet I wonder if I could last till morning. Honestly, I wouldn't be able to make it to the end of the marathon. You can avoid harm with the skills and agility to seize the moment. Your economy differs from the economy, and you are not competing with other investors. Ignore the scary headlines and instead concentrate on what is in your control: achieving your own goals.