1. Plan to succeed - If you are going to be a successful investor, you need a plan that takes into consideration your financial goals, your time horizon for achieving each of them and your tolerance for risk. Most investors have more than one goal — and more than one time horizon — which makes it even more important to have a plan.

2. Manage risk through asset allocation - Asset allocation is an effective way to spread risk without giving up the opportunity for a solid return. When your portfolio is divided among different asset classes, market sectors, investment styles and geographical regions, it can reap the rewards when one or more market segments rise. And when a market segment declines, other investments can help cushion the blow. Asset allocation does not guarantee investment success, but it can play a significant role in helping you manage risk.

3. Invest regularly, start now - Discipline yourself to invest regularly by making investing a priority — part of the monthly budget. The earlier you get started, the faster you can build your savings because time — and compounding — are on your side. Consider the example in the chart below. If you invested 200 each month beginning at age 25, and your investment earned 8% annually, you could accumulate over €100,000 by age 44. You would have to invest over three times as much to achieve the same goal, if you started investing ten years later at age 35.

4. Think long term - Once you have an investment plan, an asset allocation plan and a schedule for regular investing, it’s essential to keep a long-term perspective. Here’s what that means: Give your strategy plenty of time to work. Measure your investment progress over a period of five to seven years. Be prepared for lean years in the markets as well as good years. And when the markets do hit a rough patch, talk to your financial advisor before you make any change to your portfolio.

6. Work with a financial advisor - After your family and your health, few things are more important than your financial well being. That’s why it’s important to work with a knowledgeable financial advisor. You should expect a financial advisor to help you formulate an investment plan, choose investments and strategies that are appropriate to your personal financial situation and keep your financial goals on track by monitoring the performance of your investments. A financial advisor should be someone you can turn to when market trends change, someone you can consult when you need expert and objective advice. Generally it is a good idea to employ a professional advisor on a fee basis than a commission basis.  This should help ensure you receive objective advice and not advice that will most benefit the advisor in terms of commission.