Why You Will Suffer If You Keep Reacting With Your Emotions
The Impact of Emotional Reactions: Wisdom from Warren Buffet
“The stock market is designed to transfer money from the Active to the Patient.”
- Warren Buffet
In simpler terms, Warren is telling us that patience beats emotional reactions when it comes to making money in the stock market.
Avoiding the Herd Mentality
Let’s say the stock market is a giant playground filled with emotions. When everyone starts panicking, it’s like a playground full of kids running around screaming. Those who react emotionally join this chaotic playground, often ending up worse off.
Buffett, however, stands still like a wise oak tree, waiting for the storm to pass.
Why Emotional Resilience Matters
Okay now enough about the stock market. Let’s go back to emotions. Consider your emotions as being a bunch of wild horses. If you let them run wild without any control, they’ll take you for a wild ride, and not in a good way. Reacting emotionally to every little thing is like letting these horses run amok.
Buffett’s advice? Tame those emotional steeds.
The Price of Emotional Overreactions
If you clicked on this article it’s because you’re wondering how reacting emotionally can cost you. Imagine every mean comment or criticism as a big wave crashing against your ship. Reacting emotionally is like poking holes in your own ship. It hits you more than it hits the other.
The Buffett Way to Handle Emotions
Warren Buffett’s approach to life is like building an emotional fortress.
Here’s how:
1. Think Before You React: Instead of instantly reacting to something, take a moment to think. In other words: just hit the pause button on your emotions. Ask yourself, “Is this reaction really worth it?”
2. Be a Stoic Warrior: Embrace Stoic principles, which means focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can’t. Put on an emotional suit of armor.
3. Think Long-Term: Buffett famously said, “Our favorite holding period is forever.” This applies not only to investments but to life too. Think of your emotional reactions as long-term investments.
Ask yourself: Will this matter in the grand scheme of your life?
Being Selective with Your Emotions
See your emotions as a filter. Not every comment or critique deserves a reaction. By choosing when to react emotionally, you save your energy for what truly matters.
A Life Free from Unnecessary Suffering
The reason I like Warren Buffett’s wisdom, is because it’s a path to a happier life. His principles are simple:
- Invest in emotional resilience.
- Practice patience.
- And let the storms of emotions pass by without causing you harm.
The End
Also, remember that in any situation in life, you always have a choice. You don’t have to let emotional reactions rule your life. Just like Buffett, you can choose the path of emotional resilience and inner peace. In this choice, you’ll find the power to overcome life’s ups and downs with grace and wisdom.