"Now that you're not working, it must be hard” she said.
"There’s no-one to tell you you’re doing a good job”.
I’d caught up with a friend for dinner who had won yet another industry award.
I was happy for her.
She’s worked hard.
I did have to hold back though.
Her statement revealed what she valued.
Praise.
Recognition.
Fan-fare.
I have no interest in artificial success.
There’s a trophy shop right near my house.
I could march in there and buy any trophy I want and engrave whatever I want on it... but that wouldn’t be real.
As an investor and trader, my applause is money.
It’s taken me a long time to realise that there’s a big difference between actual success and artificial success.
To focus on the former, while not being concerned over the latter, is quite a mind trick.
It takes internal confidence, and not the type of confidence only available while the applause of your peers is still ringing in your ears.
We operate in a very unforgiving economy.
It’s more cluttered with merit badges and participation awards than ever before.
My kid came last the other day in a swimming race, but he still came home with a ribbon!
The world has gone mad.
People are sabotaging their actual success with artificial success in more bizarre and deluded ways than I thought would ever be possible.
Activity is being recognised, but not accomplishment.
It’s addictive.
It’s soaked in peer pressure.
It’s not real.
If you want to be in the top 5% or even 1% of income earners... you must be the one to give yourself a pat on the back when the time is right.
Don’t fall victim to measuring yourself on artificial success.
The only type of success in the markets is visible in your bank balance.
