Even powerhouses like the Nasdaq and Coca-Cola have endured long, grueling stretches. Anyone who bought the Nasdaq at its 2000 peak had to wait a full 15 years to break even; even Coca-Cola, held by Buffett, once traded sideways for nearly 12 years. As ordinary investors, when we buy a company or an asset, we should prepare ourselves for the possibility of being stuck with it for 10 years—and at the very least, have the patience to see it through. Investing is never easy. Cultivating the right mindset always comes first; any returns above and beyond our expectations are an extra gift and a pleasant surprise.