@rubenpinta Ruben – very kind of you to say – however, I would like to share some of my own story in my first ever “tweetstorm” –
@rubenpinta 1) Five years ago, I too idolized an investor who I wanted to be like in 5 years – he was a mentor of mine – we’ll call him “T,” I had met him when I was an editor for Seeking Alpha;
@rubenpinta 2) T has one of the most unique investment processes I know of – he just views the world through a very different lens than anyone else.
@rubenpinta 3) I followed him into some names, and tried to emulate his process, and… it was a total disaster that made me question whether or not I had any investing talent at all.
@rubenpinta 4) T’s sweet spot (consumer / being a “visionary” with a lot of imagination) was almost the exact opposite of mine (B2B / being more of a process-driven comparative analyst.)
@rubenpinta 5) At the same time, I was *also* sort of trying to emulate my PM at the fund I was working for, who was a growth/venture-y type guy (albeit in the public markets),
@rubenpinta 6) And this kind of led to – not that it is his fault at all (entirely mine), but definitely there was the element of me trying to emulate someone.
@rubenpinta 7) I have learned over time that while it is important to try to learn from other people, it is also important to know who you are and not try to be someone you’re not. Most of my bad experiences were me trying to be someone I’m not.
@rubenpinta 8) I’ve previously discussed how I consider Zeke Ashton (who ran Centaur Capital for 15+ years) a mentor. This is an accurate description, he is one of the people in my life who I respect most, and who is most helpful. but Z hates the “m-word.”
@rubenpinta 9) Z believes that investing is an individual sport – you’d be surprised how little he has tried to influence my investment philosophy. It has been more business / personal development / process advice from him.
@rubenpinta 10) Even on names we’ve both owned at the same time - among others – we both had independent “crystallizations” or understandings of the situation, and got there in slightly different ways.
@rubenpinta 11) So while it’s smart to try to learn as much as you can from others – whether it’s a kid in a garage like me or famous investors who write books – blaze your own trail.
@rubenpinta 12) Everyone has a unique set of skills, interests, worldviews, etc – these shape the sort of investor you should be – there are many different ways to invest (and set up a business) and succeed in doing so.
@rubenpinta 13) I’ve taken the approach that’s right for me; my process and business logic is optimized to who I am. you should take the approach that’s right for you – even if it’s completely 100% the opposite of what I do.
@rubenpinta 14) All that said, Ruben, you’re always welcome to email me if there’s anything I can be of help with…
@rubenpinta 15) A few others on here @joekraymond @stockthoughts81 @DicksonPau can corroborate that I always do my best to help aspiring investors or thinkers, though my time is obviously sometimes constrained.
@rubenpinta @joekraymond @stockthoughts81 @DicksonPau 16) Oh, I have a postscript: in the words of My Chemical Romance, "I'm just a boy, not a hero." And I mean that; I've learned over time not to put investors on pedestals, because...
@rubenpinta @joekraymond @stockthoughts81 @DicksonPau 17) Everybody in this industry is just a guy (less often, a gal) trying to do their best. Everyone has their own strengths, their own challenges, but at the end of the day they're all just people like you, just a little farther along their journey.
@rubenpinta @joekraymond @stockthoughts81 @DicksonPau 18) And with skill, effort, and a healthy degree of luck... you can and will get there too.
@rubenpinta @joekraymond @stockthoughts81 @DicksonPau 19) Realize that luck is a big component, too. For whatever reason, some talentless investors always grace the front page of the WSJ. Some stars never make it past obscurity. Be grateful for the good luck that comes your way, and...
@rubenpinta @joekraymond @stockthoughts81 @DicksonPau 20) Shrug about the luck that doesn't. Like the Serenity Prayer - you can only control what you can control. The good news is...
@rubenpinta @joekraymond @stockthoughts81 @DicksonPau 21) The way compounding works, even if you don't benefit from much luck, controlling what you can control should be enough.
@rubenpinta @joekraymond @stockthoughts81 @DicksonPau 22) And remember that investing is just a means to an end, whether that end be capital, intellectual stimulation, or something else. Try to enjoy the process rather than succumbing to the hedonic treadmill, as Shawn Achor might put it :)
