Most people think investing success comes down to finding the next Apple or timing the perfect entry point.

But the truth?
The biggest reason everyday investors underperform the market has nothing to do with stock picks—or skill.

It comes down to behavior.

And if you’re serious about building wealth over time, understanding this could literally change your financial future.

The Real Data: Most Investors Lag Behind the Market

Let’s start with something hard and cold: numbers.

According to Dalbar’s Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior, the average equity investor earned just around 6.3% annually over the last 30 years. The S&P 500? About 10% annually in the same time frame.

That gap may not sound massive on paper, but over time it adds up—big. Imagine the difference between compounding $10,000 at 6.3% vs. 10% annually for 30 years. Spoiler: it’s the difference between $64,000 and over $174,000.

So where’s the disconnect?

The Silent Portfolio Killer: Emotional Decisions

You can have the perfect portfolio on paper, but if you panic-sell every time the market dips—or YOLO into hype stocks—you’re torching your returns.

Behavioral mistakes like these are ridiculously common:

• Buying high when stocks feel “safe”

• Selling low during market fear

• Jumping from strategy to strategy, chasing performance

• Overtrading out of boredom or FOMO

In short, people don’t invest—they react.

And the market punishes reactivity.

Index Funds vs. DIY Chaos

Passive investors who park money in low-cost index funds and leave it alone tend to crush the average DIY trader.

That’s not because they’re smarter—it’s because they stay out of their own way.

Jack Bogle (the founder of Vanguard) once said: “Don’t do something, just stand there.” It sounds counterintuitive, but when it comes to investing, doing nothing is often the power move.

The stock market rewards patience, not activity.

The Psychology Behind the Underperformance

Let’s get real for a second. Most people aren’t wired for long-term thinking. Especially not when money is on the line and headlines are screaming.

You see a red day and think, “I need to protect my gains.”
You see a green day and think, “I’m missing out.”

This loop fuels buying high and selling low—the exact opposite of what works.

The solution? You need systems that take emotion out of the equation. You need a strategy you can stick with, not just one that looks smart when times are good.

The Better Strategy: Discipline + Automation

If the enemy is emotional decision-making, the fix is structure.

That’s where automation comes in.

Platforms like Surmount exist to help everyday investors implement real, tested strategies—without the mental fatigue of trying to time the market. Instead of chasing trades, you let a disciplined set of rules execute for you. And yes, the strategies are backed by real data, risk-managed, and designed for long-term growth.

Even better: you can plug them into your existing brokerage account. No new accounts. No confusing dashboards. Just real investing, simplified.

Practical Takeaways to Level Up Your Investing

1. Stop trying to beat the market by outsmarting it.
   Most people who try fail. Focus on consistency, not brilliance.

2. Use index funds or strategy-based automation.
   You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to stick to it.

3. Reinvest dividends and give compounding time to work.
   Ronald Read, a janitor who died with $8 million, did exactly this. He didn’t earn a high salary—he just invested steadily for decades.

4. Avoid panic-selling.
   Volatility is normal. Reacting emotionally is optional.

5. Track your behavior, not just your returns.
   If you’re constantly jumping in and out, it might be time to switch from gut instinct to a rules-based system.

Final Thoughts

Outperforming the market isn’t about finding the next big thing—it’s about avoiding the big mistakes. If you can manage your behavior, automate smart decisions, and stay invested, you’re already ahead of 90% of people.

This game isn’t about making perfect calls.
It’s about playing the long game—and not folding when it gets uncomfortable.

And if you're serious about leveling up your strategy? There’s never been a better time to explore tools built for exactly that.

The information presented is for educational purposes only and not an offer or solicitation for any specific investments. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Consult with a financial adviser before making any investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.