Disciplined approach will deliver better results

Yesterday I was with a physiotherapist, getting treated for a muscle pull. As he identified the cause he went further and explained how little changes to the posture would prevent many injuries at the first place. In his experience, he felt that this is true with almost all the cases. So, he further explained on how people misrepresent the way we treat the body and particularly while building muscles. Whenever people train, they give importance to the core (muscles considered as core or important) giving them shape for an aesthetic look.

Surprisingly, he identified that my deficiency happens to be from my right shoulder. Being a natural right-hander, I believed that my right arm is stronger than my left. Visually too the muscles and structure look stronger than that of my left hand and shoulder. This is again where the specialist erased my misconceptions. He said that contrary to the general assumption of most people, a higher mass or build may not necessitate into a balanced muscle growth and alignment.

What the specialist recommended was to strengthen the global stabilizers, these are the smaller muscles in size which act as supporters to the mobilisers. These are stationed underneath the major muscles and provide additional strength to the core. To enhance these muscles, requires a completely different approach of treatment and exercise. Once enhanced and nurtured, they help prevent developing any further injuries or strain on other muscles.

Of course, this does not need an extensive regime but certain specific exercises that stimulate the brain to provide extra nourishment. Thus, this allows these stabilizers to align with larger muscles and by retaining the right posture to the desired or perfect level, further injuries or strains could be avoided.

What I have understood about muscle building and physiotherapy is that it needs simple steps to create greater benefits in the long run. Similarly, in investing, one need not have to take big decisions or large bets, but simple and disciplined steps would produce attractive results.

Especially, this becomes prominent when the markets turn volatile and we tend to take calls that are otherwise always avoided. A gambler's paradox hits us where the players take even higher risks as the losses mount on the expectation that the possible reward would completely wipe out all the losses accumulated till then. This is mostly opposite to their risk tolerance and usually end up with unrecoverable losses.

The interaction with the therapist made me realise the importance of awareness on how one is standing, sitting or walking and how far is that the right way of doing things so as to avoid injuries or pain. Comprehending the current situation and limitations is critical for avoiding losses. In investing while committing to a particular investment, one has to be aware of their financial capabilities, their capacities, their risk appetite and their liquidity situation. Most often, people end up with having investments that are not suitable to their overall goals and risk profiles. So, despite the investment doing well, it would not be of greater utility to the investors.

Moreover, our self-assessment of strengths and weakness may not be matching to the reality. Till I saw the images of my shoulders, I was assuming that the problem could actually be with my left shoulder. One may consider that they are good at investing in equities, also they could have experienced success through investing.

It could be pure luck or out of a detailed analysis, but one has to be careful about their hypothesis till soundly proven. They could apply the same rules on another stock or investment and if it's borne out of a specific thesis could be put to test on this too. If the success rate continues one could use that methodology but it's always safe to consult a qualified professional before taking a plunge.

As the physio treated and gave me inputs, he also highlighted the need to be conscious of how one treats their body. He believes a balanced diet, along with regular exercise or physical activity and most importantly good amount of sleep sustain the body to remain healthy. Similarly, in investing, the most crucial part is to have the mind-set with clear goals in sight and sticking to a disciplined approach would deliver better results.