Growth Factorials

Occasionally, when I get some time, I like to scan the stock market and try to pick a few stocks myself. This was around 2009, I did my homework, found a stock, and was dead sure it was a gold mine. I bought it at Rs 100, but when it hit Rs 150, I got cold feet, thinking it was getting too pricey.

Guess what? That stock went on a wild ride – it touched 200, 300, 400, 500, and stopped only when it touched Rs 2500. When I finally cashed out, I had a sweet 25X return! But here is the kicker: I barely invested more after it hit Rs.150 level. Imagine if I kept riding that wave; it could’ve been a game-changer for my long-term wealth.

Now, we all stumble upon winners, right? Whether it’s a killer job with huge growth potential, a mind-blowing project that puts you in spotlight, a customer niche that is flocking to your product, a manager who gets the best out of you, or that one teammate who always over delivers the goods. They are the ones that stand out in the crowd.

The key to spectacular success is to make them count. Sure, you’ve got to keep your radar on for potential wrong turns, but when you find a winner, trust me, put your whole might behind them. Winners bring a whole different level of impact – we’re talking 10X to 100X, way beyond what the good ones can deliver.

Now, let us simplify the steps to follow to make those winners count:

Step 1: Spot Your Winners- Winners are not shy. They are the ones making waves. Projects exceeding expectations, teammates kicking butt – you know the vibe. Keep an eye out and give credit where it’s due.

Step 2: Be Sure about them- Once you find a winner, do your due diligence. Find objective measures, not only your gut feelings and superficial metrics that justify your feelings, but the real measures that matter to your goals. Maybe talk to a few experts you trust and get their views. Take some time and build your conviction. But do not wait too long! Typically, great opportunities come with time windows that shut soon. 

Step 3: Back them to the hilt- Winners need more than a pat on the back. They need resources. Be discriminating. Give them the attention they deserve. This does not mean going all-in on one thing; it means making sure your winners have everything that they need to shine. Feed them well.

Remember, winners are not your average Joe. They’re special. And here’s the thing – I’m not saying be reckless. You can still play it safe while giving your winners the attention they deserve e.g. Take my case of finding the gem of a stock- had I allocated even 5% of my portfolio to this stock, I would have doubled my wealth in a year.

In a nutshell, the trick is to find your winners, be damn sure about them, and when you are, back them up with a truckload of resources. It’s about making smart moves, not wild gambles.

So, what’s the bottom line? Winners have the power to change the game. As we cruise through our lives and careers, let’s keep our eyes peeled for those winners, and when we find them let’s bet big. Because in the end, it’s those winners that can turn the ordinary into extraordinary.

Here’s to spotting winners, betting big, and making those golden opportunities count.