" ...you are probably getting bored for the last couple of hours..."
...commented a friend (who had just started to learn the game) recently when we met for a game of poker. It was one of those days where the card Gods were testing my patience. He had seen me make a lot of boring folds.
"Either I have to get used to getting bored or I need to be filthy rich..." I told him. Before confusing him further, I added "If I were to start playing fancy, making exciting calls at the table here, I would probably get a lot of thrills in bouts due to some big wins and big losses (variance as it is called in poker), but when we leave the table in a few hours, my pockets would probably be lighter. So the question is, at the end of this session, do I want to leave the table disappointed that I did not put in my best effort? Or at peace knowing that I played to the best of my skill/knowledge/ability irrespective of the outcome?"
Following a set process can still lead to losses/set backs, be it games, trading, investing or life in general, but we gotta make the right decisions as per the process, which often is a boring experience. The need for excitement is probably a trap that we all fall for far too often. No doubt that at times we should look for exciting opportunities/excitement in life, but a large part of life that needs to be done right is boring. Be it that morning routine, the daily chores we may consider mundane or that boring investment ride through the violent market moves while we sit and do nothing. Boring activities often bring us stability, peace of mind, health and wealth if we master the art of getting bored.
At the cost of repetition, this again reminds me of the line from the show called "The Crown" where Queen Mary tells Queen Elizabeth “To do nothing is the hardest job of all. And it will take every ounce of energy that you have."
Wish you a boring...err an exciting weekend ahead!