Trump, Wentz, & Investors-Becoming Seasoned Is Painful

Trump, Wentz, And Investing,

Becoming Seasoned Is Painful

                   by: Brendan Magee


Between the last three Eagles games and the amazing performance turned in by their rookie quarterback Carson Wentz and the hype that surrounded the first debate, my head is spinning. I could only imagine what things are like for Trump and Wentz.

This time last year,Wentz was playing for North Dakota State, not a exactly the biggest of college football programs. Trump was in the midst of a heated primary debate with 15 other candidates. He was not a politician going up against seasoned politicians out for blood. Now they are on the biggest of stages with millions of eye balls focused on their every move.

Now one of the things that Wentz has going for himself is, apparently, his work ethic.
Every morning at 5:45 am Wentz is going over game film of next weeks opponent. His veteran teammates have spoken admiringly of his work ethic. All that being said, there is nothing that can give a quarterback the feel for the speed and high speed contact that goes on between the lines like actually getting on the field and taking the hits.

One thing Wentz had to learn the hard way was knowing when to get out of bounds or get rid of the football before a linebacker could put a big hit on him. Hence, his very first game he took a hit and suffered a fractured rib. Ouch! Fast forward to last Sunday's game and you see Wentz getting rid of the ball and getting out of bounds  before he takes unnecessary punishment.

Trump in his first one on one debate with Hillary Clinton did o.k., but the winner was pretty much agreed to be Clinton. Her victory wasn't a landslide, but by the eye test I think just about every one would give the nod to Clinton. Let's face it, Trump was going into the debate against an individual who has been around politics for 30 years. She has been before Congressional hearings,  participated in presidential and senatorial debates many times over. She has the benefit of years of experience on her side. There just isn't a substitute for that.

I imagine that Trump last night went to bed and replayed several opportunities during the debate that he let slip by. Today, he is going to have to answer some questions about things he should have done or said a little better in the debate. He is, most likely, walking around with a little bit of frustration. Fortunately, he will have a couple of more chances to improve on his performance and most likely he will be better. There is no substitute for actually getting out there and taking your lumps. Prep time is not game time.

It woks the same for investors. There is no substitute for experience. You can't imagine what it really feels like to go through a bear market. You have to actually see a statement or two where your money has gone down by twenty to thirty percent. You have to live with the pain, fear, and doubts. You have to live with the uncertainty as to when your portfolio will rebound. You have to come out on the other end realizing that yes you may have been a little bruised for the experience, but you are better off for having gone through it.


Brendan Magee is the founder and president of  Inevitable Wealth Coaching. With questions or comments e-mail brendan@coachgee.com or call 610-446-4322.