The Investing Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner
I used to advise millionaires on how to invest their money...but when it came to my own, I hesitated.
Back in my 20s, I was working long hours in investment banking, preparing companies to list on the stock exchange and pitching them to investors. On the outside, it looked like I had it all figured out.
But privately? I kept waiting to feel "ready" before I started investing for myself. I thought I had to know everything first.
Here's the truth I wish I knew then: you'll never feel completely ready. The real learning comes from doing. Even small amounts invested early grow into something meaningful later.
Your money mindset is everything
Growing up, I often heard, "investing is risky" or "just save, it's safer". Those money stories shaped me more than I realised. Even surrounded by professional investors, I carried those beliefs into my own decisions - and they held me back.
What I know now is that your money mindset matters more than market news. Beliefs drive actions, and actions create results.
When I transitioned into private banking, I saw firsthand how the wealthy thought differently. They didn't see investing as dangerous - they saw it as a tool. Letting go of old stories and creating new ones was a turning point for me.
Simplicity works
Here's another surprise: the wealthy don't always have complex portfolios. In fact, many stick to simple strategies - diversified funds, blue-chip stocks, stable bonds and real estate.
It was humbling to realise that simplicity beats complexity. You don't need to master every product or chase every trend. You only need the pieces that serve your goals - and the discipline to stick with them.
Watch out for lifestyle creep
Here's a lesson I learned the hard way. Every time my income went up, my expenses followed - nicer clothes, designer bags, better restaurants, more travel. I thought I was rewarding myself for all the long hours I worked.
But in reality, I was robbing my future self.
If I could whisper in my younger ear, I'd say: "Upgrade your portfolio, not just your lifestyle". Imagine how much more freedom I would've created if I invested those pay raises instead of spending them.
Risk is personal
In banking, I saw colleagues who loved chasing volatile stocks, while others were ultra-conservative. I kept wondering which approach was "right."
What I know now is that risk is personal. It's not about copying what others are doing. It's about knowing what lets you sleep at night.
Investing isn't just numbers - it's self-awareness. If you blindly follow others, you'll always feel unsure or stuck.
It's about life, not numbers
And maybe the most important lesson? Investing isn't about beating the market or obsessing over charts. It's about creating choices. Peace of mind. Freedom. The ability to design a life you love, where money supports you instead of stressing you.
That's what I'd tell my younger self. And it's what I tell my clients today.
Over the years, I've collected 20 lessons I wish I had learned earlier about investing - simple, practical, and mindset-shifting.
I've turned them into a free guide for you: 👉 20 Things I'd Tell My Younger Self About Investing
Because you don't need decades of experience to get started. You just need the right mindset, a clear plan, and the courage to begin.
