Memories are filled by our emotions. When we feel something, we are more likely to remember. The great, late Maya Angelou said that "people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel", good or bad. When a moment or a memory is tied to positive or negative emotions, a little red flag is staked in the ground. Past decisions undoubtedly affect our future endeavours, and investments are no exception to this rule. In science, they call this a 'flashbulb memory' - a point in time in which our emotional arousal contributes to the vividness and clarity of a moment. Emotions are instinctive and therefore they are rooted in our natural skill set. But, at the same time, emotions are a state of mind, subject to bias and victim to the ever-tempting 'comfort zone'. To be a successful investor, a balance of both natural, instinctive skills and an educated, disciplined plan are essential. Such as with anything in life, balance is key. Comfort zones are both a safety net and a burden. Balance is not something that can be found, it is something that we must create. My investing personality is a balance of the traits of the 'observer' and the 'thrill seeker' - both of which are subject to emotions. The emotions associated with the 'thrill seeker' drive me toward the exhilarating rush of a risk, while those associated with the 'observer' draw me back into a calmer, more stable, and albeit seemingly safer, place. My daily struggle is founded on the ability to fulfill a healthy balance between the bold, thrill seeker side and the cautious, observational side. Though driven by the adrenaline and arousal that results from a risk, I often find myself retreating to familiar ground, succumbing to comfort and giving into the 'observer' on my left shoulder, as opposed to the thrill seeker on my right. Though this is often restrictive, taking risks encompasses virtues that make us vulnerable. Ernest Hemingway said it best: "There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky, And you ask 'What if I fall?' Oh but my darling, what if you fly?" Improving tolerance to risk allows us to do just that - fly. Focusing on the consequences often distracts us from the potential bounty. To be successful, in anything you do, is to embrace all sides of yourself and to use them to your advantage. We must be bold and spontaneous, yet complement that by our ability to find solace in modesty and peace. We should look toward the words of Mark Twain when considering investments: "Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is".

Very few "naturally skilled" investors exist. The notion of being a "skilled" investor is questionable. It is true that as an individual becomes more informed and educated in investing, he or she is better able to assess which risks are worth taking. However, since investing denotes risk-taking, this suggests that one cannot be so skilled as to always determine when an investment will be in his or her favour. In other words, a skill is an outcome that can be guaranteed through dedication and perseverance. However, an investor's financial goals are not always guaranteed. To be a successful investor, one must be disciplined. Contrary to the conventional notion of the word, this does not mean to avoid risk-taking behaviour. In fact, the very act of investing is partaking in risk. What makes a responsible investor is his or her capability to identify which risks he or she can financially, emotionally, and confidently support. To be disciplined financially means to assess all angles of a potential investment. This may include doing research on the past and present market of that investment. For a first-time investor, seeking financial advice at his or her bank is a great first step. Some factors a potential investor may want to consider include: assessing his or her risk tolerance, bundling investments (as opposed to investing in one individual stock), setting aside an emergency fund in case of unexpected turns in the Market, and taking the proper steps to prevent fraudulent scams. Successful investing differs from ambitious investing. Ambitious investors, though seeking financial opportunity, may not critically consider all angles of an investment before taking the risk. Rather, he or she may be lead by emotions and over-react to short-term changes in the Market. Successful investors, like ambitious investors, are willing to take risks. However, they approach financial opportunities critically by relying on research and reliable financial advice. Successful investors are disciplined, not only because they realistically assess their financial capabilities when investing, but also because they are goal-oriented. When a potential investor sets a goal, he or she can then choose an investment that aligns with his or her goals. Successful investors understand that a financial objective is a desired outcome. Since investing is risky, there cannot be a definite outcome. A disciplined investor thus takes extra measures to secure his or her finances in the event of an undesirable shift in the Market. Ultimately, a disciplined approach (as opposed to natural skill) is most important in becoming a successful investor. Although investing does not come without its risks, one may still meet his or her financial goals when taking an informed and critically-assessed first-step into the world of investing.

Taking the Bridgehouse profile quiz was a bit of a gamble in my mind. How accurate would it be? Would I agree with a computer screen telling me who I am and how I handle my money? These questions floated around in my head while the mouse hovered over the "TAKE QUIZ" button. But I realized I needed to take a risk, to see whether or not the quiz proved itself worthy. I told myself that if the quiz was inaccurate, I could disregard it like nothing happened and move on to bigger and better things. What was the worst that could happen? Therefore I decided to take the quiz. Bingo. My profile assessment labelled me as ambitious and a strategist. Not a coincidence at all, just an extremely accurate quiz (way to go, Bridgehouse!). I am a risky individual, but accompanied with logical reasoning in everything I do. There is a fine line between risky and stupid and luckily I rarely cross that line. The reason I am a risk taker is because it is in my nature to seek a greater reward than the average outcome. I apply this thinking in every aspect of my life. I took a risk in paying $8,000 to go to university, enrolling in a program that spiked my interest but provided no insight on whether or not I would enjoy it. I also took a risk in investing some hard earned cash, knowing I would be tight on funds for a year, but also realizing the reward at the end of it (of course this money is going towards another year of university). That being said, risk is not the only factor I consider. A partnership of risk and opportunity is the double edged sword I use when I face financial battles. Putting risk and opportunity on the balance scale prevents me from crossing over the line into stupidity. Of course it is not always perfect, but honing the skill of keeping balance is something I continue to strive for. To be a successful investor and manager of your finances, you need to have mastered the act of balancing risk and opportunity, through experience and discipline, creating a skill that you can carry with you wherever you go. Although I am a risk taker, I think before I take risks. This is my discipline. I do not unnecessarily throw money away by purchasing material items (except for chocolate, because everybody needs chocolate) but instead I invest in my career, ultimately investing in the community around me. An investment of money into a career will pay off in the long run, even if it puts me in a financial pickle, because the reward is worth it. Only if I take a leap of faith and risk it all, I will then venture towards an outcome that not only affects me, but affects the greater good. Thank you for considering my application and for taking a chance on me. Pretty risky of you!

My parents have always put my brother and I first. When my father was diagnosed with Leukemia, we developed a "live in the moment" mentality, especially when it came to spending money. I remember countless overnights and shopping trips, whatever we asked for under the tree would be there Christmas morning. However, this type of lifestyle was not conducive to what my family could afford. I am not surprised by my quiz results, "Thrill Seeker", which details that I am bold, ambitious and willing to take risks, but also that I am very emotionally driven which can cloud my judgement. This, I think, stems from imitating the financial habits of my parents. I knew I would not be able to afford to pay the tens of thousands of dollars for tuition money I need to pursue my goals and graduate with a degree from University of Toronto, so I took a year off to work, and I have worked exceptionally hard to earn what I have made. This Quiz has reassured me that now is the time to work towards a financially stable future. I do not want to be a slave to money like my parents have been, and being young isn't an excuse to be ignorant. The Bridgehouse quiz was very insightful about my habits and definitely made me open my eyes. I realize that I need to work to change my spending habits, so the money I have earned to go towards my tuition will not be wasted by impulse shopping or emotional spending. I have learned that risk may have reward but it is always good to be level headed and prepared as well. Now is the time for me to get informed on what is actually happening to my money when it is in the bank and for me to discover all of the other options I have for saving for the future. This quiz was a wake up call that will help me make sure my future does not entail drowning in debt and stress and struggling to stay afloat like I have watched my family do for so long. One of the most important things I can take away from this quiz and also personal experience is saving for a rainy day. You never know what curve ball life is going to throw at you and investing in your future is one of the most important things you can do. I never want to be living pay cheque to pay cheque. Saving and investing may be hard as a teenager entering the work force, but the student debt and bills will start rolling in before I know it, and I know being wise about my money will pay off in the long run. I am now more motivated and more eager than ever to research investment plans and smart opportunities so that one day I can live debt free.

When I was in kindergarten, I thought there were only three jobs: police officer, firefighter, and doctor. My brother had already reserved police officer, and between the remaining two I chose the safer one: doctor. I stuck with this for a long time, so it was quite a shock to my parents when I suddenly announced in the 12th grade that business school was my destination. At 11:55 p.m., 4 minutes before the deadline of choosing which university offer to accept, I turned my head to the side, contemplating my mother's words. The pressure was on from her to get me to stay home for school. A decision needed to be made - I went to the computer and chose the school away from home. At first glance, it would seem like I am an impulsive sort of person, following my gut, while still playing it safe. Everyone goes to business school. I barely chose my university in time. Making this assumption, however, would mean overlooking all of the factors hiding behind the scenes. My high school schedule was filled with science courses. My preparation for business school consisted of a single International Business course, hoping for the best once the new post-secondary chapter of my life began. It would mean overlooking the countless hours of research I put into a career path, the financial industry, or what my true interests were. One would overlook the time spent delicately balancing the pros and cons of the different schools. (The final decision came down to the bare, logical issue of money - I saved more money paying rent attending the out-of-town school than if I would have stayed at home paying the pricey tuition! Who would've thought!) So the "Strategist" verdict would have surprised me once upon a time, but now it comforts me. An older version of myself would have never believed in taking risks. A little while back, I was at an appointment I scheduled with a financial adviser at my bank. After a questionnaire similar to this one (albeit much less applicable), it turned out that a GIC was right for me. I was all for it, until it really set in that I would make less than $50. That was probably the big turning point for me. An assignment for my first year of university consisted of completing a DISC assessment - a behavior assessment tool. I was given a "Contemplator" personality, referring to someone who needs to think things through. Over time, I was gradually beginning to understand my true self. Being branded a "Strategist" capped it off. Looking at my strengths gives me the confidence to keep moving forward. I now get a distinct thrill from the world of investing. Every time I don't understand a financial concept from the news, I look it up, and make sure I understand it for next time. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to accomplish my goals - and do the research to back it up.

Glimpsing over the criteria and aim of this scholarship application, I read: Young Canadian? Check. Investing smartly? Yup, that's me!...or so I thought. The Online Investor Personality Quiz has highlighted to me that I need to be a more responsible and knowledgeable investor. My quiz result as a "Strategist" surprised me slightly, as my limited knowledge of investing does not seem to correspond to a rational examination of the fundamentals of an investment. However, after further analysis, I think it is quite accurate and agree with the results. I will tell you more about this, but first, let me take you back to my childhood. Coming from a family of six, my parents put an extraordinary amount of time and money into my siblings and I participating in various extra-curricular activities and assisting financially with post-secondary studies. My parents selflessly put any extra money towards their four children, and consequently, any hopes of saving for retirement, household projects and even personal spending was put on hold. I know that I am only where I am today because of the discipline and caring nature of my parents. I quickly realized how important saving was, especially if you want to have a family. To help out with school tuition and fees, I worked full-time every summer throughout school - sometimes up to 70 hours a week in two jobs! Soon, I was able to start to put some money aside for saving. "You should put that in a tax-free savings account!" said my Godparents. So that is what I did. My hard-earned cash is in a TFSA, distributed between a corporate bond and real estate investment trusts (REITs), being managed by a man in a fancy suit called a financial advisor. But do I have any idea what exactly I have invested in, how it works, or whether my portfolio is looking good? Not a clue, really. That is where taking this quiz has prompted me to do some serious research into my portfolio and investments, and to find out more about how my investor personality can best line up with the investment options that are available to me. Through critically analyzing my investment behaviours, I thought: Hey! I really am a Strategist! My logical thinking as a "Strategist" is seen through my conclusion that investing in a TFSA through a corporate bond and REITs was an opportunity to make greater returns than from letting my funds grow cobwebs in an account at my local bank. However, there were greater risks associated with this decision, hence the correspondence to my willingness to take risks. After researching and informing myself more about my investments, I have learned that perhaps diversifying my portfolio more would be a smart and logical next step. Additionally, I have learned that my corporate bond is a convertible bond, which allows me to enjoy the higher yields associated with higher risk, while maintaining the option to convert the bond into stocks. Thank you, Bridgehouse, for this fantastic opportunity.