(This was our first ever photo we got together back in April 2012)
That’s 13 years of relationship compound interest!
We’ve had an incredible journey so far.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing…
Just like the global markets have experienced volatility and uncertainty of late, relationships go through the same cycles.
When it comes to investing, the price you pay for long-term gains is your ability to handle volatility and uncertainty in the short-term.
This is also true for your intimate relationships.
One of the biggest mistakes investors make in the markets is getting scared and selling out during times of uncertainty.
But this is the time to DOUBLE DOWN (on the positions you have absolute conviction in).
And the same holds true for your intimate relationship.
Have you ever fallen into the trap of believing your relationship should always be sunshine and rainbows?
And when it hasn’t been,
Have you been fooled into thinking you’re with the wrong person and you’d be better off cutting your losses?
I’d hate to know how much relationship compound interest has ended far too soon because of a couple’s inability to navigate the short-term uncertainty of their relationship.
But this is where investing can teach us an important relationship lesson:
If you lean into the uncertain times during your relationship, they can become the catalyst for exponential growth that will pay handsome dividends in the years to come.
Our relationship is a testament to that!
But let’s not forget,
Not all investments are for life. Not all relationships are for life.
“People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.’‘ – Brian A. ‘Drew’ Chalker
We could also say,
‘Investments come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.’
Sometimes we can hold onto an investment that’s become a liability. Because of our aversion to loss – the pain of losing $10,000 is greater than the pleasure of gaining $10,000.
We can continue holding onto a bad investment and continue pouring more money into it for years – because we hate feeling our past investing efforts have been wasted, this is known as sunken cost fallacy.
People also behave this way in relationships.
They continue to stay in a bad relationship because they don’t want to feel like all their time and energy they’ve previously invested has been wasted.
Here’s something to ponder,
Wisdom is knowing the difference between a great relationship going through a hard time and a toxic relationship going nowhere.
Wisdom is knowing the difference between a great investment experiencing short-term volatility and a dog investment going nowhere.
This is the challenge in both investing and love.
Knowing what investments/relationships are assets worth holding onto and which ones are liabilities to let go of.
When asked about how long is the best time to hold onto an investment, Warren Buffett famously said,
“My favourite holding period is forever.”
So, when you find a winner in investing or in love – the best thing you can do is hold on to them for life.
Ride the waves through the inevitable ups and downs. Embrace the growth that comes with navigating uncertainty together. And enjoy the dividends of your commitment for decades to come.
Kaci, you’re my greatest investment.
I’m holding onto you for life. x
