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What is line-item thinking? It’s when you focus too much on individual investments instead of looking at your portfolio as a whole. As a result, this can lead to less investment diversification, more risk, and too much trading.

The right way to think about your portfolio: Instead of judging individual investments, ask yourself: Was this decision reasonable based on what I knew at the time? Is this investment playing its intended role in my diversified portfolio? And, does it help reduce risk and increase the chances of long-term success?

Key Takeaways: Your key to long-term financial stability isn’t chasing returns; it’s sticking to a strategy that prepares you for an uncertain future. A well-diversified portfolio will always have some “losers.” But that’s a sign of smart investing—not failure.