By Katie Gomez

Sometimes we’ve done all we can, and all that can help is a little motivation to keep going. With the economy as it is, we are all just trying to stay afloat and maximize our efforts as much as possible. Whether that looks like prioritizing our savings accounts through lower-risk investments or day trading in the market to keep our portfolios afloat. The reminder that you are not alone in your struggle through affirmations is something that we need to prioritize to keep moving forward. That said, this blog’s intention is not to offer any new financial advice or tips to improve your trades but rather serve as a motivational boost for wherever you are currently on your journey. 

It is clear from the markets that a recession has begun. People have been sent into problem-solving panic mode. The best thing you can do for your mental and financial health right now is to take a breather, reflect, and get your head straight before taking those next steps. Life is like the stock market: we have little to no control over what happens to us. 

Nevertheless, we can always choose to focus on the things we can control. Life becomes much easier once you accept the things you can’t control and start focusing on what you can. Whether you’ve been in the market for decades or are brand new, this article will provide you with some timeless advice to reflect on when your mind begins to run amok. 

These quotes can apply to many things in life, from relationships to stock market trades, yet they are still hard to practice for many of us. Hopefully, you will gain some insight from these simple tips and the quotes presented alongside them, so you can continue moving forward instead of looking back. 

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

• Warren Buffet

Stock trading requires you to play the long game, no matter how tedious or frustrating. Immediate gratification is not something you should expect out of life, especially regarding the stock market. The stock market is not an ATM that presents you with money forthrightly; you have to be willing to see your transactions through, seeing them serve your overall goal, not how much money you can get right now. It would be best if you started treating investing like tending to a plant in the garden, waiting for the seeds you plant to grow and flourish, rather than a slot machine that spews money out at you every time you play.

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” 

• Leo Tolstoy

Timing is everything. We’ve all heard the various sayings that remind us of the importance of time and patience because it is a universal truth that good things come to those who wait; you might be the only one left when everyone else chooses to leave. If you want to succeed, don’t waste precious time dwelling on past mistakes or missed opportunities because you have no idea what lies ahead. Timing is a gift that can direct you onto new paths or timelines that usually offer better rewards, most of us are just too stubborn to be patient enough to watch it play out. Let go of the victim mentality and trust that everything happens for a reason, and watch as new opportunities magically unfold in front of you. 

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” 

–  Sir George Dasent

This quote reminds me of the importance of risk in investing. Every trader can attest to attempting big swings only to suffer big misses. However, the losses improve us if we learn from them instead of running from them. Once we realize the importance of taking more considerable, calculated risks, unafraid of the losses that may follow, we become stronger and more successful traders. 

“Nothing worth having comes easy”

– Theodore Roosevelt

You must be willing to put the work into investments to reap the benefits. Can you name something extraordinary that you have that just landed in your lap? Something that came so easy to you, you can’t believe is yours? Doubtful. Nothing worth having comes easy, especially when it comes to money, or else everyone would be rich beyond their wildest dreams. So you have to go the extra mile; when the motivation leaves, grit and discipline replace it. Specifically for stock traders, this extra work can look like putting in more hours practicing in the simulator, joining new webinars, chat rooms, or classes, and staying consistent with your trading plan despite emotional fluctuations. In most cases, the amount of work put into something equates to the value of the result. 

“This too shall pass.”

       -Eckhart Tolle 

If where you are now in your financial journey is too painful and you want to escape, hang in there. Although it may seem like you could be heading for a downward spiral, don’t let it take you down. If you can hold your head above water during the rockiest waves you could experience, you will see yourself through to the other side. As impossible as things may seem in the moment, remember that it is fleeting; trust the process. This recession will pass, just like all the others before have; you just have to believe it will until it does.

In conclusion, though these quotes and sayings might sound cliche or insignificant , that does not detract from their value; many cliches are just overused universal truths. These reminders are yours to come back to when things get too overwhelming to handle. These quotes remind us that we are never alone in our struggles; because there is a good chance whatever we are going through, at least one person already has, will, or is also going through it at the same time. So keep your head up and stay consistent with your efforts, for this too shall pass.