Integrated personality and success in your financial life

I met a young investor several months back wanting to make a start and he decided to invest in an ELSS scheme. He took the KYC forms and promised to get back in 2 days. Months passed and even after reminders, there was no information, till last week he called and lamented that a huge amount of TDS had been cut from his annual bonus received in the end of Jan!! (He has delayed in making the investing and did not submit proof to his HR)

Now, another investor: A young lady, at her first job discussed a plan for savings and investment last year and started with an SIP of Rs 2000.00, promising to increase SIP by Rs 10000.00 after a year. She has just come and actually made the NEW investment even though her increment was not as expected. Was truly impressed when she said that she would not let anything get in the way of the plan and would cut unnecessary expenses.

You can already guess who has a greater chance of achieving total financial freedom!! The difference in the two investors is the heading of this post – Integration of one's personality!! - Integration of the various layers of personality is a very very important factor in achieving success in ANY field let’s see how this works. First, what are the layers of personality referred to here?

Layers of personality

Intellectual layer: All of us individuals have an intellect (brain!!) which receives information, processes it, learns new facts, discriminates between right and not right and makes a decision. Planning, analysis, deciding processes etc are the functions of the intellect which makes decisions. So deciding on how you invest, how much to invest, planning our budgets etc. etc. are a process of the intellectual layer of our personality. (Alas, many do not fully use their intellectual abilities and just amber along, which is the subject of another post)

Now, this decision made by the intellect needs to be implemented!! In between the decision and the implementation come two more layers of our personality – our MIND (mental layer) and our BODY (physical layer of our personality). The mind is a fickle thing, has strong likes and dislikes, needs, desires, wants the easy way out (jugaad), is pulled by the various things of beauty and novelty in the world around! It is very strong and PULLS the body along with it. It is often working at a tangent different from the intellect.

To give an example, you have decided to take an early morning walk and set the alarm for 5.30 AM. The alarm goes off. Invariably the fickle, pleasure loving mind will want another 10 minutes more of sleep!! This snooze thing is a real killer and you never get up. But note what has happened. Your mind and body are opposing the decision of your intellectual layer!! Let this happen a few times and you will NEVER get up early. The same is the story with all new year resolutions!

Integration of our personality – when the intellect, mind and body are aligned

It’s easy now to see what we need to do but most difficult to implement. Integration of our personality is the complete alignment of our decisive intellects, our minds and the body. If the intellect works out a plan or even decides something small, the MIND SHOULD agree to implement without excuses and the body should be in alignment working towards our objectives, goals.  If not done, it will weaken your personality as you consistently negate yourself.

When investing, we often decide an asset allocation. If the market is shooting up wildly, see how our minds go crazy with dizzy excitement and does not implement the decision, justifying it instead - giving or making excuses!!! Looking objectively, you know this can be harmful. Many such examples can be given.

Exercises to practise: Simple methods have been given to practise integration of personality. Just make a start by being on time – ALWAYS. Being punctual is a proof of integration. Another good exercise to follow, is to positively give up some favorite food for a month and ensure that the craving mind and body follow!!

Successful living: The bottom line is to ensure that the discriminating, thinking intellect, the mind and body are in perfect alignment and harmony. Look around and see all instances of success. They did not happen purely by luck. The individuals have been decisive and with the different layers of their personality completely aligned towards their objectives. The adage – united we stand, divided we fall applies to layers of our personality. Ultimately it is we ourselves who are our own friends and our own enemies.

If you wish to invest in mutual funds through me, write to me . You can also message me on twitter @Invest_mutual

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risk. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.