Turning 30 - A day of reflection

Hi all,
I turned 30 yesterday and because of network problems out of my control I was forced to have a day off and reflect. I don't know if it was devine intervention or something, normally I would just work but my girlfriend insists on making it a day all about me - which I can't take for granted, I'm a lucky boy just turned man!

Part of my 'reflecting' was a book I was reading called 'Way of the Turtle.' It's not what you might think. It's a book on technical traders in the financial markets that were nicknamed the turtles because of their unique style of trading. I do trade the markets from time to time, I'm by no means a professional trader - I 'dabble.' The guy telling the story, can't remember his name right now spends most of his time in some form of quarter/mid life crisis. I could relate to this as I think I do to. And I would definately recommend it! I am perceived by my friends as a risk taker, I constantly challenge those around me but mostly challenge myself. I honestly can't ever see me being any other way, my dad is exactly the same. I think it allows me to see and sieze opportunities where others digress and make excuses always trying to mitigate against every single 'what if.' Once you truly understand investing you'll see that you can't do that. You should be diligent, thorough, logical and patient. But then you have to make a decision and this is where most people fail and it remains just a pipe dream.

My heart and my beliefs lie firmly in property investing. The way I see it, as an investor you can look at every investment vehicle on the planet and you can learn to be as clever or as technical as you want and rage against the property machine. The fact is no investment vehicle in the history of the world has performed as consistently as property EVER - Fact. And anyone can do it, seriously, anyone!

This year is on course to be probably the toughest trading year in my life so far. And yet I feel nothing but excitment and enthusiasm. I am definately an eternal optimist! I know already that my earnings this year will be significantly less than any other AND I'll have to work 10 times as hard - and experience more disappointments than any other year. I accept this as the life I chose for myself. Afterall, I'm here sat at home at 9am and my plan for today is to train at the gym and take my brother swimming this afternoon, so not a bad lifestyle really.


Peace out..