How to make money in the stock market (and raise successful children, and live a longer life too)

There’s a simple way you can accomplish all three. Be an optimist. A 2022 Harvard study found that women who reported having a positive outlook had a better chance of living past 90 years old.

As a new father, I’ve also been reading about parenting, and trying to provide the best environment I can for my daughter. Studies in children show that those surrounded by optimism tend to live more happy and successful lives.

It’s a simple task but by no means an easy one in today’s world. Turn on the TV, the radio, or scroll on your phone and surely there will be no shortage of bad news. Conflict, the US Election, worrying economic data; there are plenty of reasons to be anxious about what’s being reported. And there always will be. But step back and look at things objectively; there’s never been a better time to be alive. We are living in a time of unprecedented safety, health, and prosperity.

Think of being invested the same way. To maximize returns (and peace of mind) an investor must be inherently optimistic. Trusting that short-and-medium term volatility, negative headlines, and market noise will eventually give way to success and gains is an exercise in trust. Those who are cautiously optimistic will always do best, and reap the most out of the market, their relationships, and their lives.

It will always pay to be an optimist.