October 27, 2003

Investment "Zen"
by Marcel Chartier

First, I want to define what I mean by "zen". I am defining the concept of zen as the ability to "think" (ie meditate) in a manner that nullifies outside stimulus, or controls or redirects thoughts and actions: thinking cold when you are hot - to feel cooler. Or, thinking "success" when you need to become more successful. Some of this thinking comes across as a bit "out there", but I believe there is something to the way we think and how we act or feel.

In order to acheive any goal, such as a financial goal, or any other goal, you need to develop or have the motivation to do so. For example, the hardest part in going to the gym in many cases is geting there. How do you “get” the motivation to go there? There are several ways, all of them require that you think in a particular way or redirect yourself to a goal. This could be through visualization, affirmations, contemplation, relaxation, physical activity, or a change of activity. There are as many ways to reinforce motivaton, the trick is to find the way of motivating you! I know what motivates me, I need to visiualize myself achieving the end goal, and I need to see regular increments of achievement towards my goal. That is pretty well it.

I know for others, they need daily affirmations, or regular rewards. Either way the chain of events that appear to be required in order to achieve a goal are:

A motivator

Internalization of motivation

Visualization or mental exploration of goal

Final setting of the goal

Analysis of steps required to achieve goal

Implementation of first step

Next step becomes new goal

Visualization of new smaller "next step" goal being done regularly

Continuation of the next step “goal”

After a series of accomplished next steps, the original goal is achieved.

It is interesting that in order to accomplish the first goal, secondary goals have to be identified and embraced. It is the accomplishment of the smaller goals that lead to success. The original goal becomes secondary.

That is the "zen" of investment (or any other goal achievment).

The primary goal becomes secondary, and the secondary goal becomes primary.