Investing is a critical part of wealth creation, and it is essential to get it right to ensure investment success. While it is not an exact science, several factors can increase the chances of achieving your investment goals. In this article, we will discuss the seven factors that you must remember to ensure investment success using insights from Kenneth Grant Winans.
Renowned for his work in investment management, financial history writing, and philanthropy, Ken Winans has established himself as a prominent figure in the financial services industry. With over 33 years of experience, he has developed innovative investment strategies and conducted pioneering investment research as a portfolio manager, investment analyst, and financial writer.
One of Winans’ unique qualities is his documented “track records” as both a market strategist and a portfolio manager, setting him apart in the financial services industry. He is also a prolific author, having written and published four award-winning books, with much of his investment research featured as headline articles in top websites, magazines, and newspapers. Since 2011, Winans has contributed over 43 articles to Forbes.com, with several being named “Editor’s Pick.”
In addition to his contributions to the financial industry, Winans has also made significant contributions to various non-profit organizations. He has served as a trustee for The W Foundation (Novato) and the Society of California Pioneers (San Francisco) for over 20 years. He has also served on the boards of The Holland Society of New York, USS Hornet Museum (Alameda), The Museum of American Finance (New York City), San Francisco Fleet Week Association, Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland), The University of San Francisco Alumni Association, and The Institute of Ecolonomics (Ridgway, CO).
Ken Winans is a resident of the San Francisco area, where he enjoys traveling internationally, riding motorcycles, snow skiing, and scuba diving. He is also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Napa. Winans’ dedication to his craft and his philanthropic efforts have established him as a distinguished figure in both the financial industry and the wider community.
- Set Realistic Goals: The first step to investment success is to set realistic goals. Determine what you want to achieve from your investments, such as long-term wealth creation or short-term income generation. Consider your financial position, risk tolerance, and investment horizon while setting your goals.
- Diversify Your Portfolio: Diversification is a proven investment strategy that reduces risk and increases the chances of achieving your investment goals. It involves investing in a range of assets across different industries, sectors, and geographies. This helps to spread the risk and reduce the impact of any negative events in a particular asset class.
- Monitor Your Investments Regularly: Monitoring your investments regularly is critical to ensure that they are performing as expected. Keep a watch on market trends, changes in the economy, and political events that may impact your investments. This will help you make informed decisions about your investments.
- Rebalance Your Portfolio: Rebalancing your portfolio involves adjusting the proportion of your assets to maintain the desired level of risk and return. As some assets perform better than others, your portfolio may become unbalanced, and you may need to sell some assets and invest in others to maintain your desired level of risk and return.
- Manage Portfolio Costs:Investment services & products can have multiple hidden fees and can erode your returns over time. It is essential to know what you are paying for and make a budget for your portfolio expenses. If you manage your own investments and want to minimize your investment cost, use a discount brokerage house for trading, invest in low-cost index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or use a robo-advisor.
- Manage Your Emotions: Emotions can cloud your judgment and lead to irrational investment decisions. It is essential to manage your emotions and not let fear or greed drive your investment decisions. Stick to your investment plan and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market movements.
- Seek Professional Advice: Finally, seeking professional advice can help you make informed investment decisions. A financial advisor can help you set realistic investment goals, develop an investment plan, and monitor your investments regularly. They can also provide you with valuable insights and advice on how to achieve your investment goals.
Investing can be a daunting task, but following these seven factors can help increase your chances of investment success. Set realistic goals, diversify your portfolio, monitor your investments regularly, rebalance your portfolio, keep costs low, manage your emotions, and seek professional advice. By following these factors, you can achieve your investment goals and create long-term wealth.
