We All Agree on Long Term Investing... Until the Market Falls

A group of friends had an investment club where they met every month to discuss markets and investing. One evening, over chai, the conversation turned to long-term wealth creation.

"The key to wealth is staying invested in mutual funds for the long run." "SIPs are the best way to build wealth." "Compounding works best when you give it time."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

But when markets dipped a few months later, their actions told a different story.

• Raj, who always said timing the market was risky, sold his mutual funds at a loss, thinking he’d reinvest when things looked better.

• Neha, a firm believer in compounding, paused her SIPs, telling herself she would restart once the uncertainty passed.

• Vikram, who regularly encouraged others to invest consistently, canceled his SIPs entirely, convinced that stopping was the safest option.

  
  

At their next meeting, Amit, the most experienced investor in the group, asked,

"So, did everyone stay on course?"

Silence.

Then Vikram admitted,

"Everyone nodded, nobody agreed."

The Gap Between Knowing and Doing

This isn’t just their story - it’s something many investors go through.

• People agree that timing the market is risky, yet they react to short-term movements.

• They acknowledge that compounding creates wealth, yet they struggle to stay invested during volatility.

• They understand that long-term discipline matters, yet they pause or stop their investments when faced with uncertainty.

The challenge isn’t knowledge - it’s behavior.

Why Having a Guide Matters

Their old professor, Mr. Sharma, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.

"Investing isn’t just about knowing what to do - it’s about having the discipline to follow through, even when emotions make it difficult."

He continued,

"This is why having a guide matters. A Sarathi doesn’t just provide advice; they help you stay on track when doubt and fear creep in."

The friends realized that their investments hadn’t failed - their discipline had.

This time, when they nodded, they truly meant it.

Final Thought

Investing is simple, but staying invested is not always easy. The market will have ups and downs, but wealth is built by those who stay the course.

Because in the end, it’s not just about agreeing with the right principles - it’s about having the patience and discipline to follow them through.