If you’ve been reading my recent coaching articles, you’ve likely noticed a recurring theme: behavior matters.
When I started my first industry job 30 years ago, it was at the tail end of your father’s—or even grandfather’s—“stockbroker” era.
Since then, the industry has transformed. Today, we embrace a comprehensive financial planning model, where the investment strategy is no longer the destination itself, but the engine that helps get you there.
Although the financial profession has moved past the old habits of frequent trading, stock picking, and market timing, many individuals still cling to that outdated way of thinking.
And I understand why—being active, feeling in control, and doing something about your financial future is a powerful psychological drive.
But here's the truth: staying focused on your long-term goals, not getting dragged down into the weeds, is critical. Obsessing over what the markets are doing week-to-week is exactly where people get into trouble. The weeds are where the mistakes live.
I’ve had a front row seat for a few decades now for almost every imaginable decision that investors make, and clear takeaways stand out:
Our instincts are almost always wrong.
Trying to outsmart the market usually backfires.
Acting on emotion almost always leads to regret—and often, loss.
On the other hand, investors that stick to their plan, and stay sanguine amidst current events are more likely to find peace of mind and financial freedom.
This pattern—emotion-driven decisions, overconfidence, the urge to act—is why I’ve grown increasingly passionate about behavioral financial counseling. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about mindset. And that’s where most people struggle.
Why am I still talking about this? Because I still deal with it almost every day as something new is always coming along to stir up fresh anxieties.
The Seinfeld Principle: Do the Opposite
There’s a great moment in the sitcom Seinfeld, in an episode called “The Opposite.”
George is fed up. He tells Jerry:
“Every decision I’ve ever made, my instincts, everything has been wrong.”
To which Jerry replies:
“If every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.”
So George tries doing the exact opposite of what he would normally do. He tells a woman at the café:
“Hi, I’m George. I’m unemployed and I live with my parents.”
And… it works. She’s interested. His life starts turning around.
It’s funny, but it’s also a little profound.
If following your instincts hasn’t been working out financially, try the opposite:
When you feel the urge to do something, maybe the right move is to do nothing.
Because if you’re following a thoughtful, long-term plan for financial freedom, sometimes doing the opposite of our instincts is exactly the right thing to do.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Western Wealth Management LLC , a registered investment advisor. Western Wealth Management LLC and Kennebec Wealth Management LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.