6 in 10 people think being good at investing is a natural talent – here’s why that’s wrong

16 September 2026

Some people can seem naturally confident with money, leading you to assume that “good” investors are born with the required mindset.

This belief is more common than you might think, with Aviva reporting that 61% of UK adults think some are simply “born investors” who are more successful at investing.

The same research also found that only 44% of UK adults describe themselves as confident investors, while 31% say they aren’t.

This confidence gap could stop you from investing at all, even when it could help you achieve your long-term goals.

In reality, successful investing often results from patience and discipline rather than a special instinct or the ability to predict the future.

Continue reading to discover the behaviours that could help you build confidence and make more informed decisions regarding your portfolio. 

1. Avoid trying to time the market

One of the more common investing mistakes is trying to buy when prices are low and then sell when they rise again.

While this might sound like a wise strategy, it is incredibly challenging to pull off. Not least because markets are affected by a range of factors, including:

• Interest rates 
• Inflation
• Company earnings
• Geopolitical events.

These can all change quickly, and even professional investors can struggle to predict every movement consistently. 

Trying to time the market could mean you delay investing while waiting for the “ideal” opportunity. Or you might sell when markets fall, only to miss a subsequent recovery.

A more disciplined approach is usually to invest with a suitable time frame in mind and accept that short-term volatility is going to occur.

Of course, investments can fall in value as well as rise, and you might get back less than you invest. However, if your portfolio is aligned with your goals, risk profile, and time frame, you may be better placed to stay calm when markets move.

2. Invest regularly to build the habit

Rather than trying to invest a large lump sum at the “right” moment, you may prefer to invest regularly over time.

This could make investing feel more manageable while also reducing the pressures of deciding when to enter the market.

Regular investing means you might buy more when prices are lower and less when prices are higher. Over time, this could help smooth the average price you pay, but it doesn’t remove investment risk or guarantee better returns.

Moreover, consistently setting aside small amounts could help you build your confidence over time. This is especially the case if you’re new to investing or feel nervous about market movements.

3. Maintain a diversified portfolio

Diversification is another behaviour that could help you with your long-term investing efforts. 

Put simply, diversification means spreading your money across various sectors, asset classes, and geographical areas.

This is beneficial because no single market performs well all the time. If you concentrate too much of your wealth in one area, your portfolio may be more vulnerable if that area struggles. 

Remember: a diversified portfolio won’t prevent losses entirely, but it can help you manage risk.

The right balance of assets will vary from person to person, which is why expert support from a Financial Planner can be valuable. 

Rather than choosing investments yourself in isolation, we can help you build a portfolio that reflects your objectives, time frame, and capacity for risk.

4. Ignore short-term noise

You now have access to more information than ever before. Market updates, news headlines, and social media posts are all competing for your attention.

While some information can be useful, too much can become distracting. 

If every headline seems to suggest that a major market movement is just around the corner, doing nothing can feel uncomfortable. 

Yet, reacting to short-term noise can lead to poor decisions. Indeed, you might sell investments after a period of decline or chase a trend after prices have already risen. 

While these decisions might seem logical at the time, they might move you away from your bespoke long-term plan.

A better approach could be to decide in advance what your investments are designed to achieve, and then assess them against that plan rather than the latest headline.

5. Review your investments, but don’t overmanage them

It’s important to note that your goals, income needs, and attitude to risk can all change over time. As such, regular reviews with your Financial Planner can help to ensure your plan remains suitable.

However, reviewing doesn’t mean constantly changing.

Sometimes the better decision is to do nothing. If your portfolio remains suitable, your goals haven’t changed, and short-term market movements are accounted for, staying invested could be the most sensible course of action.

This can feel counterintuitive, especially when markets are volatile, but patience is often one of the more important investing behaviours. 

A careful review with your Financial Planner could help you distinguish between changes that do require action and noise that might only distract you.

Get in touch

We could help you understand your options and build a suitable portfolio so you can make investing decisions with greater confidence.

Email [email protected] or call 0161 8080200 to find out more.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.