The gathered students of the Zen Portfolio Manager Master could show no more restraint. The master, who had been meditating on the market for some time, was finally roused by his disturbing students' shouts and cries. "What will happen in the stock market today," they questioned excitedly. With a gleam in his eye, the master wisely stated, "I will tell you what happened tomorrow."
This is quite an enjoyable article, especially if like me, you are a glutton for any form of eastern mysticism, philosophy, history or action movies and get carried away in associating the idea of investing with the precepts of Zen. However, a precept, as well as its dirty cousin heuristic, should be carefully and respectfully handled when being incorporated within an investment strategy.
The majority of investment philosophies and strategies today are anchored to the idea that the past is the best indicator we have for generating systems for investment strategies i.e. the use of historical averages of returns, risk, life expectancy etc. Instead of starting with this way of thinking (well if the past is the best I have...), begin your investment strategy on the one hundred percent certain fact that the future is one hundred percent unknown and subject to change. Investing is unique in every way to the individual doing the investing. There are no rules of thumb and there are no guarantees. So instead of beginning your investment strategy with the common precepts of the investment community, sit down in a quiet place and do a little zazen meditation to get to know your own unique requirements and understanding first. Or better yet, give your friends at Anderson Griggs Portfolio Management a call and schedule a paired meditation session with the portfolio manager, in the peaceful and soothing bull conference room.
Anderson Griggs & Company, Inc., doing business as Anderson Griggs Portfolio Management is a registered investment adviser with the US Securities & Exchange Commission. Pursuant to laws and regulations Anderson Griggs also maintains notice filing with several individuals state regulators including North and South Carolina. Anderson Griggs only conducts business in states and locations where it is properly registered or meets state requirements for advisors. This commentary is for information purposes only and is not an offer of investment advice. We will only render advice after we deliver our Form ADV Part II to a client in an authorized jurisdiction and receive a properly executed investment Management Agreement. Any reference to performance is historical in nature and no assumption about future performance should be made based on the past performance of any Anderson Griggs Investment Objective, individual account, or index. The authors of publication are expressing general opinions and commentary. They are not attempting to provide legal, accounting, or specific advice to any individual concerning their personal situation. Anderson Griggs Portfolio Management's office is located at 113 E. Main St., Suite 310, Rock Hill, SC 29730. The local phone number is 803-324-5044 and nationally can be reached via its toll-free number 800-254-0874.