9. How do we invest well?

For centuries, mankind looked to the movements of the stars, charted their course, interpreted their meanings and applied those observations to their actions down here on earth. And they made some pretty terrible decisions.

The thing is, prediction and prognostication don’t sit at all well with mathematics and evidence, which are the forces that govern smart investing.

Yes, sometimes people can ‘beat the market’, but in the same way as a run of lucky picks in heads or tails, it doesn’t last. It can’t last.

And for that reason, trying to beat the market may as well be astrology. We’ve been in this business a long time and it continues to reinforce what we’ve always believed. Smart investment begins with a tailored plan that’s matched to your goals, your financial situation, the level of risk you’re comfortable with and the time horizon you’re working to. It ends many

“Forecasts may tell you a great deal about the forecaster; they tell you nothing about the future.” – Warren Buffett

years later when, after investing for the long-term, you reap the rewards of persistence, discipline and keeping a cool head.

Warren Buffett knows it too. As he put it, “Forecasts may tell you a great deal about the forecaster; they tell you nothing about the future.” The legendary Jack Bogle, founder of Vanguard and creator of the world’s first index mutual fund, put it even more succinctly:

“The math will never let you down”.

Your Metis LifePlan won’t give you the ‘hot picks’, ‘top tips’ or any of the ‘secrets the professionals don’t want you to know’. What it will give you is structure and a clear way forward that’s based on the things you want to achieve.

It’ll give you a way to turn ideas into eventualities, a framework within which to cope and adapt with whatever the years ahead should bring. Most of all it’ll give you a constant reminder that whatever you’re aiming for, whenever you need it, Metis Ireland will be right beside you, keeping you on track and making sure you #StickWithThePlan.