Lesson 4: Consistency

“If you had $10,000 to invest in the stock market, what would you buy?” This Spring, 25 middle school scholars have been wrestling with this question as I teach them about investing in stocks. Our goal is for each group of 5 scholars to design their own Investment Thesis, which is the strategy they will use to answer this question. They know the importance of having an Investment Thesis to maintain consistency as investors.

Yesterday, these scholars picked a company and did a deep dive researching the products, financial health, stock performance and industry trends. At the end of our session, they decided whether to buy the stock of the company they had studied and explained their reasoning. Groups disagreed on their decision, but each group’s decision was consistent with their Investment Thesis. As they become real investors, I want them to make consistent decisions grounded in a strategy not swayed by a changing environment.

I learned this lesson in consistency while I was at a fundraising meeting for work: A managing partner was pitching an investment opportunity to an investor. The investor asked him, “What would you change about your Investment Thesis if there was a downturn in the market?” He calmly responded, “Nothing.” While I gave him the side-eye because I thought that was not the right thing to say, the investor agreed. Consistency is not about outcomes - it is about the process toward a desired outcome.

Looking ahead to business school, there will be so much excitement for the opportunities: classes, clubs, internships, networking, and travel. It is my responsibility to know the difference between an opportunity and a distraction. I must be consistent as I decide how to use my time.

I highlight my mission, vision, and values in this newsletter to remember who I am on this journey. I am working toward Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. I may not be able to predict how this will work out, but I can be consistent with my process.

Consistency is Lesson 4. Next week, I will share Lesson 5: Reputation