Why is genuine investing considered boring? Both Soros and Buffett say so

What is the highest level of investing? An often overlooked answer is: let your money grow automatically with minimal effort on your part. This idea is completely opposite to most people’s imagination of investing—many novice investors expect exciting, adrenaline-pumping trades, but true masters of investing have long realized another truth. Renowned investor George Soros once said, “If investing feels interesting and fun, you probably won’t make money. Good investing is dull.”

The hallmark of good assets: money working for you

What is a truly good investment? Assets that continuously generate value after purchase. When you own such assets, a wonderful phenomenon occurs: you become an outsider, the assets operate automatically, and all you need is patience. Conversely, investments that require daily management and constant “big moves” often hide risks—you gain psychological satisfaction from being busy, not real returns.

The truth about investing mindset: feeling good ≠ good returns

There is an counterintuitive rule in investing: the opportunities that feel the best at the start often perform the worst in the long run; those investments that are disappointing initially (low prices, negative news) may turn out to be long-term winners. Investing expert Howard Marks has studied this phenomenon extensively, finding that it repeats throughout history. Optimism at the beginning and failure in the end, pessimism early and success later—these contrasts cycle repeatedly in markets.

Why the most profitable investments are always boring

Soros’s theory reveals a secret in the investing world: the most profitable strategies are often the most boring. When you select high-quality assets, the correct approach is to hold, wait, and ignore market noise. This process lacks drama; it doesn’t give you the thrill of “doing something great,” but it can steadily build wealth. Buffett’s decades-long value investing philosophy is a perfect example of this—good investments don’t require frequent trading; they require patience and discipline.