Time Is Your Best Friend – Not Being Invested Costs More Than You Think

Recently, I had one of those conversations that really make you think. A former colleague and I – both active in the financial markets for decades – were talking about our favorite topic: Investing.

Interest in financial markets is certainly present in society, but it’s still underdeveloped. Many people get excited for a short while, watch a few YouTube videos, maybe even read a book – and then comes a well known statement:

“I don’t really know enough about it, and right now I don’t have the time to dive deeper. I’d rather not risk doing something wrong.”

And every time, I can only say: What a pity.

Doing nothing instead is often the most expensive and wrong decision of all.

The Impatience of the Young and the Caution of the Old

The younger generation tends to be curious, open-minded, willing to experiment but often lacking in experience – and impatient when results don’t show up quickly. The older generation, on the other hand, brings valuable experience but tends to be more comparing, less risk-tolerant, and feels that time is a limited resource. In the end, both generations approach time differently, yet both end up with the same result: Impatience.

Time and Patience Are Your Best Friends when Investing

The perfect moment to start? It doesn’t exist.

If your investment horizon is 15 years or longer, timing becomes almost irrelevant – what truly matters is being and staying invested.

The Timing Illusion: Bitcoin and the Financial Crisis

Let’s take Bitcoin. Had I been among the lucky few who bought it at $1, honestly, I would probably have sold everything at $100 and then told myself I’d buy back in at $50. Would have, could have, should have...and never done. That’s just the way it goes.

Or take 2008, during the financial crisis. I still remember saying:

“The correction is clearly almost over by now.” And yet, I didn’t buy. After talking with other traders, the overall panic rubbed off on me. I thought, let’s wait until things stabilize. The only problem: Stability is something you recognize only in hindsight.

Two Different Worlds: Trading vs. Investing

A big part of these misjudgements comes from people mixing up trading and long-term investing. As a former trader, I know that trading means reacting fast, managing risk, and taking short-term decisions. Investing, on the other hand, means planning, holding, and being patient.

Both can work – but they must be treated as two distinct business models and especially in trading, you need to put in a lot of time.

No matter which approaches you follow, one principle always applies: Focus on cash and risk management, not on chasing the perfect entry point.

When markets rise sharply, your cash position decreases proportionally – that’s a good time to take some profits and rebalance. When markets correct, your cash share rises – that’s your opportunity to buy again. This way, you stay invested but remain flexible.

Psychology – Your Real Opponent

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Then ask yourself why only a few actually do it consistently.

It’s not the strategy that fails – it’s the psychology.

When markets rise, euphoria takes over: “I’m missing out!”

When they fall, panic sets in: “I’m losing everything!”

Both are powerful emotions – and both can lead to bad decisions.

Successful investing means learning to manage your emotions. Not with complicated tools or fancy charts, but with patience, structure and a clear plan.

My Conclusion

After more than 40 years in the financial industry, I can sum it up in one sentence:

Not being invested is ultimately more expensive than entering at the wrong time.

Investing is not a sprint – it’s a marathon. If you wait until you understand everything perfectly before you start, you’ll never start at all.

Stay invested - stay patient and most importantly – stay committed.

Use time to your advantage, because time is your greatest ally.