Here’s an essay in the voice of Eric Kim on how being more muscular and physically fit can lead to becoming a better investor:
The Power of Physical Fitness in Investing: Why Muscles Make You a Better Investor
In the world of investing, people often talk about strategy, knowledge, and discipline. But there’s a crucial element that’s often overlooked – physical fitness. Specifically, the more muscular and jacked you are, the better you’ll perform as an investor. This may sound unconventional, but let’s break down how physical fitness, and yes, being jacked, directly impacts your ability to succeed in the markets.
Strength and Confidence: The Muscle-Mind Connection
There’s a simple truth here: physical strength breeds mental strength. When you push your body to its limits and build muscle, you’re training your mind to endure pain, conquer challenges, and move past boundaries you didn’t think were possible. Lifting heavy weights and building muscle require discipline, commitment, and patience – all of which are vital traits for a successful investor.
Think about it. When you’re muscular, you exude confidence. And that confidence translates to decisiveness in the market. Being jacked allows you to approach investment decisions with a clear, powerful mindset. You know you’re capable of overcoming difficult situations because you’ve already pushed your body to the edge. You’ve achieved something that takes effort and dedication – a shredded, muscular physique – and this achievement brings a level of confidence that directly benefits you as an investor.
Discipline and Routine: Training and Investing
Ask any seasoned bodybuilder or powerlifter, and they’ll tell you the key to muscle growth is discipline and consistency. You have to stick to a routine, even on days when you’d rather sleep in. The gym teaches you the value of long-term commitment, something that directly correlates with the principles of investing. Investing isn’t about chasing the latest hot stock or getting rich quickly. It’s about the long game. Those who win are the ones who stay disciplined, day in and day out.
Training your body mirrors the patience you need in the stock market. Building muscle takes time, just as building wealth does. Every hour in the gym, every extra rep, and every disciplined meal is an investment in your future self. This approach instills a sense of dedication that carries over into your portfolio management. If you can commit to a muscle-building regime that requires delayed gratification, you’re much better equipped to handle the stock market’s ups and downs.
Energy and Focus: Benefits of a Strong Body
When you’re physically fit, you have more energy and mental clarity. A stronger body isn’t just about looking good – it’s about feeling good. Regular physical activity improves circulation, boosts mood, and provides an endorphin rush that makes you feel ready to take on the world. More energy means more productivity, and in the investing world, this can make all the difference.
A tired, sluggish mind is vulnerable to poor decision-making. Physical fitness, on the other hand, keeps your body and mind sharp, allowing you to maintain laser-like focus when it matters most. It’s no coincidence that many top investors maintain rigorous fitness routines. When you’re at the top of your game physically, your mind is more resilient and ready to respond to market fluctuations with agility and precision.
Resilience: Conquering Both Physical and Financial Challenges
Investing is a mental battlefield, and resilience is what separates the best investors from the rest. You can’t develop resilience just by reading books or following market trends. True resilience is forged in struggle and adversity – like the grind of building muscle and strength. When you’re pushing yourself in the gym, enduring the physical pain, you’re training yourself to withstand emotional and mental stress.
Every investor knows that the market will test you. It will make you doubt yourself, question your strategies, and at times, want to throw in the towel. But if you’ve spent years pushing through plateaus and setbacks in the gym, you’ve developed the grit needed to withstand those market challenges. The same resilience that helped you bench press more weight than you thought possible will carry you through turbulent times in the market.
Conclusion: Muscles and Market Success
Physical strength and fitness are not just about looking good – they’re about building the mental fortitude necessary to excel in all areas of life, including investing. When you’re muscular and jacked, you’re not just physically strong; you’re mentally tough. You understand discipline, you value consistency, and you have the confidence to make bold moves. So, if you’re serious about becoming a top-tier investor, hit the gym and build the physical strength that will make you a force to be reckoned with in the financial world. Because when it comes to investing, the stronger you are, the stronger your results. Period.