Legendary investor Jim Rogers In 1970, Rogers joined Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder. That same year, Rogers co-founded the Quantum Fund. During the following 10 years the portfolio gained 4200% while the S&P advanced about 47%.[4] It was one of the first truly international funds.
In 1980, Rogers decided to “retire”, and traveled on a motorcycle around the world. Since then he has been a guest professor of finance at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
Our Take
As a fan and reader of all of Jim Rogers’ books, I was happy to pore through “A Gift to My Children”. I read the book in 1 hour and purchased several copies for the younger members of my family. This book is not for advanced value investors, but rather for young minds. If I had this book when I was 8 years old, I would be a much wiser and smarter person today. Rogers delivers on his promise of providing gifts to younger members of society and deserves compliments for doing so. If you’re interested in cultivating a young mind and potentially rearing the next Warren Buffett, this book is for you.
Jim Rogers’ Keys to Success (taken from the titles and sub headings of each chapter):
1. Do not let others do your thinking for you
2. Focus on what you like
3. Good habits for life & investing
4. Common sense? not so common
5. Attention to details is what separates success from failure
6. Let the world be a part of your perspective
7. Learn philosophy & learn to think
8. Learn history
9. Learn languages (make sure Mandarin is one of them)
10. Understand your weaknesses & acknowledge your mistakes
11. Recognize change & embrace it
12. Look to the future
13. “Lady Luck smiles on those who continue their efforts”
14. Remember that nothing is really new
15. Know when not to do anything
16. Pay attention to what everybody else neglects
17. If anybody laughs at your idea view it as a sign of potential success
Most powerful exercise from the book:
“Reflect on situations where conventional wisdom and custom turned out to be wrong. Take the time to find out what actually happened.”
Favorite Quotes:
“Anything that is a must see, must try, must read, should almost certainly be avoided, especially if it is popular.”
“Never act upon wishful thinking. Act without checking the facts, and chances are that you will be swept away along with the mob.”
“Learn to stay calm especially in times of pressure or turmoil. You will make much better decisions.”
“Do not get married until you are at least 28 and know a bit more about yourself and the world.”
“Learn to do as much arithmetic and figures as possible in your head.”
Article contributed by Miquel Barbosa of Seeking Alpha