As with everything in life, the more we do something, the more we learn. Some things are really useful, others not so much, and then there are those things that make you a better person, partner, employee, manager, leader, or, most importantly here on Captain Finance, a better investor.

So here are the ten things I have learned over the last 25 years of investing.

1. Stay calm

Don’t let market moves and temporary changes affect you. Don’t panic when everyone else is. Staying calm allows you to be more careful and professional in your investment decisions.

2. Never listen to other people’s tips

When someone has a hot tip for you, it probably means all serious investors are already long aware of it. Acting on that hot tip means nothing more but to jump on a bandwagon and hope for a profitable ride. However, more often than not, the bandwagon has already run out of steam and it will be too late for you to cash in by the time you get the tip.

3. Always listen to others

Don’t listen to what they think is the newest and best investment, but do listen to what they like, what they are planning to buy or do. It gives you a good indication of what companies are likely to gain in value.

4. Read, read, read

Read the news, company reports, strategic decisions and management changes. Read as much as you can and then decide whether your sought out investment really is a good investment. Maybe you’ll even come across an even better investment while reading

5. Take a look around

By observing the world around you, you will get a pretty good idea of what is going to be the next big thing.

6. Combine what you hear and what you see

Just because someone tells you they want to buy a new Porsche does not mean they will. See how many others do likewise and then reflect again on whether a potential investment is worth your time and money.

7. Listen to yourself

You will be the best judge. Follow your gut instinct. Sounds simple, but your intrinsic knowledge does frequently beat any in-depth research. If your gut tells you that even the best looking figures seem sketchy, it may be better to refrain from investing.

8. Do your research

After all the listening and looking around, do your research on the company and the market. Too many companies and new trends have been hyped in the past to only fail before coming to full fruition.

9. Pay attention to leadership

Be very aware of a leader’s personality, plans, and background. It will give you a good idea of whether your investment will carry its history and performance further into the future. Especially when there’s a new captain steering the boat. New leadership means new visions and management styles affecting everything from employee to shareholder, from customer relations to profits.

10. History repeats itself

In my relatively short life I have already seen so many ups and downs in the stock markets. The pattern stays very much the same. About every seven or so years something happens that will lead to a temporary collapse only to, briefly afterwards, carry the markets to new highs.

So here you have it: These are ten of the most important things I have learned about investing. Have fun and all the best of luck investing yourself.