The millionaire’s marathon
In an earlier episode of our Raiz Your Game podcast, our CEO Brendan sat down with financial adviser Ben Nash to talk about one of the biggest truths in money. Building wealth is not a sprint. It’s a marathon.
We live in a world where you can order dinner and have it at your door in 20 minutes. So the idea of waiting years to see results can feel frustrating. But with money, slow and steady usually wins. And the best part? You don’t need thousands of dollars to begin. With Raiz, you can start investing with as little as $5.
Why investing isn’t a sprint:
Think about running a 100-metre race. You use all your energy at once. It’s quick, stressful, and over before you know it. That’s what a sprint is like.
Some people treat investing like a sprint. They:
- Try to guess the perfect time to buy and sell
- Chase every “hot tip” or trend they hear about
- Expect their money to double overnight
The problem? That kind of sprinting usually leads to mistakes, stress, and disappointment.
The marathon mindset:
Now think about running a marathon. It’s about pacing yourself. You train, you take one step after another, and you keep your eyes on the finish line.
In investing, the marathon mindset means:
- Adding to your investments regularly, even if it’s just a few dollars
- Sticking with it through ups and downs in the market
- Focusing on your bigger goals, not just what happens today
This approach is calmer, steadier, and much more likely to get you where you want to go.
Small steps go a long way
When Brendan spoke with Ben Nash, they both agreed on one key point, consistency beats intensity. You don’t need to put in a big lump sum to get results. Starting small, and making it a habit, often works better.
With Raiz, tools like Round-Ups (where your spare change is invested automatically) or recurring regular deposits make it simple. You can set it up once and let it tick away in the background. Over months and years, these small steps add up to something much bigger.
Expect some hurdles:
Every marathon has tough moments. Maybe it’s a steep hill, maybe it’s a stitch in your side. In investing, those hurdles might be:
- A sudden market drop
- Scary news headlines
- A personal money setback
It’s tempting to stop when things get tough. But history shows that people who stay the course are usually better off than those who pull out.
Everyone has a different finish line
Your marathon doesn’t have to end with millions in the bank, unless that’s your goal. For some people, the finish line is being able to retire comfortably. For others, it might be saving for a home, paying for their kids’ education, or simply having more freedom with their money.
The important thing is knowing where you’re headed and pacing yourself to get there.
Final thought:
Sprinting might give you quick wins now and then, but it doesn’t last. The marathon approach is what builds lasting wealth. Start small, be consistent, and remind yourself that you’re in this for the long run.
Want to listen to the full episode? Find it here.
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Important Information
This blog has been issued by Instreet Investment Limited (ACN 128 813 016 AFSL 434776) as Responsible Entity of the Raiz Invest Australia Fund (ARSN 607 533 022) and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on such information, you should conduct your own review or consult a financial advisor before making a decision to invest. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and any associated reference documents before making an investment decision. In accordance with the Design and Distributions Obligations, we maintain Target Market Determinations for our Funds. All documents can be found on the Raiz website www.raizinvest.com.au, or calling the Customer Support team on 1300 754 748. Please note that past performance is not a reliable indicator or guarantee of future performance. Historical returns, forecasts, and market commentary are provided for general informational purposes only. All investment carries risk and may result in loss of capital.
