Rational Advisor

These are some ruminations based on my trip to Greece and Italy

One of the fascinating things about Greece and Italy was the stories of their warriors and their Gladiators.

Gladiators were those athletes that would excite the population with their fights and battles in the public arena. They were front and center in the media of the times, and cities were identified by their winning gladiators.

We know of them also from our movies “The Gladiator”, “300″, “Spartacus” and a whole bunch of others.

Yet, when I got to think about things, I realized it was the Farmers who were the most successful. Greece and Italy are known for their fruits, wines and olives.

Also the Farmers were the ones who provided for their families and looked after the future.

Being a gladiator means thinking about the next fight, the next opponent, today.

Being a farmer means thinking about the future, planning for the future, caring for the seeds you put into the ground that will look after your community and your family.

So, if I was to choose, I’d rather be a farmer than a gladiator.

We have the same mentality today

Gladiators - we get caught up in what is exciting in the markets, we want to see the blood, we enjoy or commiserate about the theatrics in this coliseum called the stock market. Too many of us get caught up with these gladiator managers who have had a streak of winnings. And we look for the one that’s had the most kills – not realizing that they can also be killed.

What we need to do is look for good farmers, and be good farmers. We need to look for managers that treat their investments like they would a farm. Knowing when to seed the right crop, giving time for the crop to work, adding the right soil, water and sun combination. And not pulling out the plants every week to check if they are on track.

If we become or are seduced by gladiators, all we will be remembered for is crumbling coliseums, crumbling arches, a ghost like Olympic stadium, and stories…

Instead if we act like farmers, we will still see lush field, still producing food and wine that keeps on providing. Fields that have stayed around for centuries.

You have a simple question to answer – Are you a gladiator or a Farmer

I know what I am.

Traits of a gladiator (irrational speculator)
- focused on the next fight, (always looking for the next thing!)
- wants to make a quick kill (quick profits)
- enjoys today for their might not be a tomorrow (only want to know about what’s hot today!)
- Hatred for the enemies (everyone else is wrong except for me)
- Weapons are swords, knives and other instruments of harm (technical analysis, charts and other goobeldygook)
- Has a short life span (Ah, I lost all of my money in day-trading)

Traits of the farmer (rational investor)
- focused on the future
- Plans for fruits and crops to continue to provide for ever
- Thinks about the future genrations that will reap rewards from todays seeds
- Loves the community. Always willing to help others
- Tools are ploughs, shovels, oxen, horses, sheep, goats, chickens
- Has a long life with family and friends and leaves a legacy

Need I say more…

So just like a Farmer, you have to think of your investments,
- make sure they have the right soil,
- Make sure they are tilled, and get enough sun, water and nutrients.
- Make sure they are given enough time to grow
- Don’t pull the stalks out each week to check how they are doing
- Replant
- Rotate the crops
- Have a discipline
- Take advantages of new mthods to improve the success of your crop
- Have Patience

Remain Rational

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