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144 Don’t Make Me Say I Told You So

Fear

Fears about the world, financial markets, and the economy
carry a common refrain for many investors throughout their

lives: “There are bad things on the horizon, and I’m not going
to invest in stocks or stock mutual funds until things ‘settle

down.’” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this sentiment
expressed in my over-30-year career: “I think investing is a great

idea, just not right now. There are problems on the horizon, and
I’m not going to walk into that buzz saw.”

I’m not aware of a time in history when everybody was
employed, when there were no political or military threats

in the world, a chicken in every pot, and a new car in every
driveway. This, however, is what many investors are waiting for

before they’ll make and stick to a consistent investment plan.
Most people are waiting for a time that will never come. As we

all know, there have always been reasons not to invest.

The stars will never align, and the traffic lights
of life will never all be green at the same time.

The universe doesn’t conspire against you,
but it doesn’t go out of its way to line up the

pins either. Conditions are never perfect.
-Timothy Ferriss

Chapter 4: The Most Common Investor Mistakes