6 Ways Young Professionals Can Overcome Market Psychology

Market psychology is the reaction to investing. Overcoming market psychology is not easy but learning how the market works can reduce the number of surprises and increase the degree of success. Keep in mind, all assets rise and fall in value, the more extreme the swing, the stronger the sentiment.

Participation in the market has its ups and downs, but when you compare non-participation with the right guidance and mindset the probabilities improve.

1. Equalizing the Costs

Costs include monetary and non-monetary expenses. Monetary is comprised of transaction and brokerage fees. Non-monetary is the time spent learning about the market and understanding the investment process along with managing the shifts between the increase and loss.

Much like the past, today’s modern portfolio needs the assistance and watchful eye of an experienced market professional. It’s not enough to guess or even estimate the changes – planning is necessary to anticipate the wins and the losses.

2. Long-Term and Short-Term

The nature of the market is the volatility of prices rising and dropping. Our emotions share a similar reaction between excitement and depression. Surges of pleasure with favorable uptrends and neurotic negatives with declines. 

The long and short of it is about now and the future – both terms play a vital role in learning how the market shifts affect your choice.

• Long-term is noted for continued performance and consistent results.

• Short term focus on temporary boosts during innovative or downturn markets. 

3. Market Awareness

Start by figuring out your financial characteristics, and what segment of the market works best for you. It takes an honest assessment of your knowledge, means, and objectives. For this reason, working with an experienced professional is a benefit – they are going to help ease the emotional and financial ups and downs.

There are two noted market trends – bear and bull. They are both related to volume shifts. Bear markets have prices falling accompanied by the urge to sell. Bull markets are steady and confident; prices go up involving rational decisions to buy or sell.

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4. Manage and Control

Unfortunately, emotions can be drivers for selling early (short-term) diminishing the significant gains (long-term). As we go through various phases in life so does the market. On the average upswing, markets have a lifespan of five years. It doesn't mean earnings stop entirely – but they could settle in with a slower and more steady growth.

Here, diversity and multiple selections are necessary for a healthy portfolio. Don’t underestimate the value of the entire portfolio, one investment increasing won’t stand alone over time.

5. Move Forward

Get over the past experiences and focus on the future. It's coming with or without your approval – better to be part of the plan and manage the calls so you can reap the benefits. Start slowly and build trustworthy confidence to reduce the risk and the stress, allowing the market to respond back to you - positively.

Questions to ask yourself: are you in the right market? Does your plan have a solid strategy built into it? If you have some concern do yourself a favor and look for help.

6. Change Perspectives

Most individuals don’t always experience success immediately, and our mind begins to associate financial markets with negative emotions. Acknowledge the market is not just about winning and losing – it’s about strategy and duration.

The market will continue to do three things: it goes up, it goes down, or it stays the same. Talking with a market professional helps to manage the market's pluses. Working with one could change your perspectives and broaden the future's outlook.

For market success, develop your awareness and work with a market professional for sound advice and investment guidelines. Patrick Logue CFP® is a fee-only Financial Planner based in Naples, Florida who works primarily with Young Professionals between the ages of 25-45. He works with Young Professionals to improve cash flow, pay off debt, buy a house, save, and invest. Visit Prudent Financial Planning today to learn how to get started.