If you’re just starting out, it may seem difficult to determine when the time is right to invest. The answer, however, isn’t when to jump in or out of the market. It’s how long you stay invested that matters.

A Smart investing strategy involves assessing your goals, time horizon and comfort with risk. It also takes into account factors like inflation and interest rates. Choosing an asset mix that aligns with your needs is another crucial element. A balanced portfolio may include stocks, bonds, cash and even real estate.

Smart Investing: Techniques for Reducing Risk and Increasing Profits

Rebalancing your investments along the way is essential, too. Shifting money from assets that have done well to those that haven’t can help you avoid overpaying and take advantage of growth opportunities as they arise.

Market trends can change on a dime, but it’s important to keep an eye on them for any signs of potential changes in economic conditions, employment levels and inflation rates. By focusing on these changes, you can make more informed investment decisions.

Avoid emotion-driven trading. It’s tempting to sell when markets fall, but this can turn paper losses into actual ones and it may limit your potential for future gains. Instead, focus on the long-term goals you’ve set for yourself and stick to your plan. It’s the slow and steady approach that has proven to be the most effective for wealth building. The best investors like Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch didn’t try to “time” the markets – they simply invested regularly.