Institutional Investor: A non-bank person or organization that trades securities in large enough share quantities or dollar amounts that they qualify for preferential treatment and lower commissions. Institutional investors face less protective regulations because it is assumed that they are more knowledgeable and better able to protect themselves.

– Investopedia

There is a thin line between an Institutional Investor and one who needs to be institutionalized.

– Stanley Bing

Now if you are like me, have a burning desire to make it big and nothing can put it off, then it is extremely easy to fall into the trap that Stanley is referring to. I have been there, done that, learnt a few lessons and moved on.

So, what were the lessons I learnt and how can you maintain your sanity in life if you already have or are trying to make it big?

1. Get a life. We all are flesh and blood and we were put on this earth to live life, not survive it. The problem starts arising when we are forced to survive life because of the circumstances that arise.

No matter how much workaholic you are and how much you love what you do, like me, but at a subconscious level, you also want to have some fun in life.

Go out and find what interests you — Some sort of sports. Hand of poker with your friends. Hanging out at water spots or night clubs. Going out on long drives in your car. Found what you are interested in? Now do it as often as you can!

Another thing, you will never find out what you are really interested in until you try it out once. So, now is the time for some adventure.

2. Learn to accept failures and sub-par results. We don’t live in a perfect and neither is the work done by its people perfect. I know you and I both love great results but we also have to accept that failures and sub-par results are also a reality.

The moment we accept this fact, we realize that all of sudden those imperfections that we had been fretting over don’t drive us insane anymore. Now off to the third point.

3. For every problem under the sun, there is either a solution or there isn’t. If there is, let’s find it otherwise never mind it. ’nuff said.

4. Sing for the moment. Life is short. Neither you nor I know what is going to happen the next moment. So, why waste your time worrying about something that has not happened and perhaps never will. But hey, you will NEVER get a chance to enjoy this very moment again.

5. Get addicted to power, not money. If you come to think of it, why do we love money — because of the power, luxuries and the prestige associated with it.

Okay I am not advocating that you go insane for being the almighty but if you get addicted to power rather than money, you will realize that you don’t always need money for being a powerful person.

The way you behave, talk and dress up matters a lot more than having a million dollar bank balance when it comes to power. Don’t take my word for it, try it yourself. Mr. Mafioso has some nice advice here.

The moment you discover it for yourself, you will find a lot of sanity and a sense of fulfilment settling in you.

6. Applied psychology Matters. A lot of problems and worries in our life creep in because we don’t understand the difference in what people say and what they really mean. People say something but they mean something else. The problems arise when we take everything at face value.

For this reason, I rate the knowledge of applied psychology more about as important as, or perhaps even more than, the knowledge of money and finance.

No I am not recommending that you pick up those dull psychology textbooks. They are basically crap (just like most stuff they teach at schools). I am recommending books like How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Influence – The Psychology of Persuation by Robert Cialdini and Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.

Read and try to practice whatever you can get your hands on related to human psychology and body language. It is going to be a really fun exercise and will help you understand what people are actually trying to say.

7. Most importantly, start looking at the bigger picture. If I were to tell you the most important lesson that I have learnt in my life then it is that you must look at the bigger picture of everything. Identify what you want to achieve, make a roadmap to achieve it and work on it. Don’t let small things divert your attention from your ultimate goal.

Lastly, Can I re-iterate my philosophy of life -

Sing with me, sing for the years.
Sing for the laughter ‘n sing for the tears.
Sing with me, if it’s just for today.
Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away

Those are the main lyrics of the song Dream On by Aerosmith and that sums up the way I live my life and make every decision that I have to make.

All the best and don’t forget to love your life.