Unlocking Abundance Through High Standards

Navigating the investment world can feel like a never-ending quest for the next big win. Investors all around the world pore over spreadsheets, dissect earnings reports, and dream of compounding their returns into the exponential returns the charts tell us are possible.

But, as most of us learn the hard way, the secret to truly exceptional, enduring success, both in your portfolio and in your life, isn’t just about crunching numbers. It’s about something far more fundamental, something that transcends balance sheets and analyst ratings: high standards.

These two words have huge implications for anyone who’s dreaming big as an investor—or as a person for that matter…

Enter the Intelligent Fanatic as a High Standard Posterchild

Charlie Munger once aptly dubbed the legends of the business world as ‘Intelligent Fanatics’. He also noted that these successful few aren’t just lucky—and they don’t just stumble into their success. They’re individuals who build empires that don’t just dominate for a fleeting moment, but for decades.

Success experts have long studied how and why these rare business titans rise about the rest of the field. And the most common thread woven through their stories is an unwavering commitment to high standards—a refusal to settle for anything less than the best.

Some of these stories are already the stuff of investment legend. Jeff Bezos’s obsession with customer satisfaction, Steve Jobs’ almost fanatical attention to design and function – these weren’t mere quirks; they were the outward manifestations of deeply ingrained high standards.

High standards are the very bedrock upon which dominant companies are built.

They’re also the secret sauce for becoming a truly great stock picker. Moreover, they’re the foundation for building strong families, nurturing meaningful relationships, and ultimately, changing the world around us.

For anyone who’s aspiring to be remarkable, raising the bar is your non-negotiable starting point.

High Standards Are Deeply Personal

Now, you might be thinking: I get it, but how does that translate to my investment strategy?

This is where high standards as a concept gets personal.

A short personal story to illustrate this point…

I have two children, a ten-year old daughter and a three-year old son, and one of the most important lessons they’ve both taught me is the importance of being present and consistent. Neither of these behaviours are particularly complex, time-consuming, or challenging. In fact, I enjoy being present and consistent as it’s a more enjoyable way to live. More importantly, these behaviours are integral to the high parental standards my children expect from me these days.

In my children’s minds, being present and consistent means me asking them questions each day and listening to their answers, and the big one: it means playing with them every single day. If I tick those boxes, my children are happy with me. And interestingly, the more consistent I am with these standards, the more my children are mirroring my behaviour. For example, I’ve started noticing that they’re often the first the ask others, including adults, questions and genuinely listen to the answers (a rarity these days!). They’re also often the first to initiate play with their friends. Their friends are noticeably appreciative, and have started initiating play more as a result.

Of course, like all parents I make mistakes, so this example isn’t about perfection or even aiming for perfection. It’s about the intention behind high standards, the required action, and the insanely positive knock-on effects of being present and consistent.

It’s also about how positivity is a magnet and negativity is a race to the bottom. A single word of encouragement, or a compliment, or an apology when needed, can be a game-changer. When you think something good about someone and say it out loud, you’re creating goodwill that lives on.

The Power of Now as an Investor

We sometimes find ourselves wishing time would speed up so we can reach those projected gains sooner.

But here’s the ironic truth: this yearning for future returns distracts us from the essential work that needs to be done today to achieve those high returns.

By focusing more on the future than the present we’re unwittingly lowering our investment standards.

With regaining those high standards in mind, here are some powerful, yet surprisingly simple, pathways to compounding your returns and achieving your investment goals...

• If you lack the confidence and knowledge to start investing, start looking for the right financial adviser: today.

• If you have gaps in your financial education, address them through formal or informal education: today.

• Sit down and develop your own customised investment plan—by yourself, or with the help of your financial adviser: today.

• Execute your investment plan and stick with it: today.

• Do whatever is required to ensure you aren’t scared out of your investment portfolio by market volatility: today.

• Set up a means of dollar cost averaging during periods of market weakness to ensure you’re benefiting from long-term compounding: today.

• If you’d like to learn more about Australia’s best funds with a view to investing, start researching your options on InvestmentMarkets: today.

• If you’re considering investing in a managed fund and would like to learn more about it, contact the fund manager and ask your questions: today.

The list goes on but the answer is the same: take action today with the intention of remaining consistent over the long term.

The best part of raising your investment standards is that you’re likely to start noticing improvements in all parts of your life—as our lives are holistic. And vice versa: the more you’re playing with your children, or paying a compliment to your partner, the higher you’re probably raising your standards as an investor.

The knock-on benefits of high standards are extraordinary.

The Secret to Compounding All Types of Returns

So the secret to compounding your relationships, your business growth, and your investment portfolio, lies in the power of taking care of today to the best of your ability.

It’s about being present, living with intention, and embodying those high standards in every facet of your life. Don’t let the noise and distractions of the world pull you towards mediocrity.

When you take care of today like this, tomorrow has a remarkable way of taking care of itself. That’s true abundance.

Disclaimer: This article is prepared by Simon Turner. It is for educational purposes only. While all reasonable care has been taken by the author in the preparation of this information, the author and InvestmentMarkets (Aust) Pty. Ltd. as publisher take no responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein or for any errors or omissions within it. Interested parties should seek independent professional advice prior to acting on any information presented. Please note past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.