Morgan Housel, renowned author of The Psychology of Money, has issued a strong caution to investors: if you cannot control FOMO (fear of missing out), you should reconsider investing altogether.
According to Housel, the emotional impulse to chase investments because others are seemingly doing better, is a dangerous trap that can jeopardize long-term financial success.
Explaining the concept of FOMO, Housel remarked, "You're looking at somebody else and saying they’re doing better than I did. You can’t outrun that train."
This reflects how many investors make impulsive decisions when they perceive others gaining higher returns, leading to emotional reactions rather than rational, strategic planning.
Housel emphasizes that susceptibility to FOMO can prevent individuals from maintaining a disciplined and patient approach to investing.
In his view, successful investing requires the ability to stay focused on long-term goals without being swayed by short-term market trends or others' successes.
Emotional decisions driven by FOMO often result in poor market timing, chasing over-valued assets, or panic-selling during downturns—all of which can erode potential gains over time.
The author’s advice underlines the psychological discipline required for sustainable wealth building.
He suggests that those unable to manage these emotional impulses are unlikely to achieve consistent financial success through investing.
His message is clear, that, without emotional control, even the best investment strategies may fail.
As financial markets continue to evolve, Housel’s insights highlight the importance of emotional resilience and a long-term mindset to navigate the ups and downs of investing successfully.
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