--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Short-term performance envy causes many…" description: "\"Short-term performance envy causes many of the shortcomings that lock most investors into a perpetual cycle of underachievement. Watch your competitors..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36b/seth-klarman-1979_able_short-term-performance-envy-causes-many_3085796.png" --- # Short-term performance envy causes many of the… ![“Short-term performance envy causes many of the shortcomings that lock most investors into a perpetual cycle of underachievement. Watch your competitors not out of jealousy but out of respect and focus your efforts not on replicating others' portfolios but on looking for opportunities where they…” quote by Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36b/seth-klarman-1979_able_short-term-performance-envy-causes-many_3085796.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36b/seth-klarman-1979_able_short-term-performance-envy-causes-many_3085796.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36b/seth-klarman-1979_able_short-term-performance-envy-causes-many_3085796.png) > “Short-term performance envy causes many of the shortcomings that lock most investors into a perpetual cycle of underachievement. Watch your competitors not out of jealousy but out of respect and focus your efforts not on replicating others' portfolios but on looking for opportunities where they are not. The only way for investors to significantly outperform is to periodically stand far apart from the crowd, something few are willing, or able, to do.” [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Investors often mimic others out of envy, limiting returns; true outperformance requires deliberately diverging from the crowd. **In simple terms:** Copying leads to mediocrity; success needs independence. Key Takeaway Seek unique opportunities, avoid herd mentality. Themes investment competition independence performance Mood analytical strategic Type financial motivational When to use this quote - portfolio construction - market analysis - career planning - entrepreneurial ventures Key Concepts behavioral finance strategic positioning risk management Questions to Reflect On - What unique angle can you pursue in your field? - How do you resist the pull of popular trends? A Different Perspective Standing apart can be risky and isolating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Cycles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cycles/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Investors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investors/) [Jealousy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jealousy/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Portfolios](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/portfolios/) [Short term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-term/) [Shortcomings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortcomings/) [Underachievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underachievement/) ## Related quotes > [“As long as we encourage a culture of victim hood, said Monty, with the rhythmic smoothness of self-quotation, we will continue to raise victims.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/as-long-as-we-encourage-a-culture-of-victim-hood-said-monty-with-the/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [My second business would have succeeded but for competitors' jealousy. I was selling motorbike gear cheap, but the people I was undercutting complained to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-caudwell/my-second-business-would-have-succeeded-but-for-competitors-jealousy/) [John Caudwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-caudwell/) > [Warren Buffett likes to say that the first rule of investing is "Don't lose money," and the second rule is, "Never forget the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/warren-buffett-likes-to-say-that-the-first-rule-of-investing-is-don-t/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Here’s how to know if you have the makeup to be an investor. How would you handle the following situation? Let’s say you own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/here-s-how-to-know-if-you-have-the-makeup-to-be-an-investor-how-would/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Nowhere does it say that investors should strive to make every last dollar of potential profit; consideration of risk must never take a backseat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/nowhere-does-it-say-that-investors-should-strive-to-make-every-last/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [The primary reason for underachievement and failure is that the great majority of people don't decide to be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/the-primary-reason-for-underachievement-and-failure-is-that-the-great/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [“Recognizing the signs of underachievement is the first skill to be mastered in addressing underachievement”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asuni-ladyzeal/recognizing-the-signs-of-underachievement-is-the-first-skill-to-be/) Asuni LadyZeal > [“Underachievement is not a disability but an opportunity to bridge the gap between potential and performance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asuni-ladyzeal/underachievement-is-not-a-disability-but-an-opportunity-to-bridge-the/) Asuni LadyZeal > [Schools alone are not to blame for underachievement. The breakdown of the family, poverty, and decaying cities with eroding tax bases have made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/schools-alone-are-not-to-blame-for-underachievement-the-breakdown-of/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [In a country like New Zealand where crab mentality is an accepted norm and even celebrated as a cultural achievement by some, the addition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-spacey/in-a-country-like-new-zealand-where-crab-mentality-is-an-accepted/) [Simon Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-spacey/) > [“Underachievement is widely accepted in the popular culture, which puts little value on persistence in the face of setbacks or on the unique pleasure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-w-christian/underachievement-is-widely-accepted-in-the-popular-culture-which-puts/) Kenneth W. Christian > [“To reverse student underachievement, a well-structured reversal plan is essential. This usually begins with interviewing the student, parents, or guardians to collect crucial data.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asuni-ladyzeal/to-reverse-student-underachievement-a-well-structured-reversal-plan/) Asuni LadyZeal > [“Many underachievers do care about their successes and are sometimes deeply invested in their achievements but may face challenges that eventually hinder their goals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asuni-ladyzeal/many-underachievers-do-care-about-their-successes-and-are-sometimes/) Asuni LadyZeal > [I believe hip hop is being used in some mass way to influence underachievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/i-believe-hip-hop-is-being-used-in-some-mass-way-to-influence/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [“Underachievers are not always lazy or lacking motivation. Underachievement can result from external barriers, lack of support or resources, and mental or physical health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asuni-ladyzeal/underachievers-are-not-always-lazy-or-lacking-motivation/) Asuni LadyZeal ## More by Seth Klarman > [Unlike return, however, risk is no more quantifiable at the end of an investment that it was at its beginning. Risk simply cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/unlike-return-however-risk-is-no-more-quantifiable-at-the-end-of-an/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Because investors are not usually penalized for adhering to conventional practices, doing so is the less professionally risky strategy, even though it virtually guarantees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/because-investors-are-not-usually-penalized-for-adhering-to/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Value investing is risk aversion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/value-investing-is-risk-aversion/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Be focused on process and not outcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/be-focused-on-process-and-not-outcome/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [There is an old saying, "How did you go bankrupt?" And the answer is, "Gradually, and then suddenly." The impending fiscal crisis in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/there-is-an-old-saying-how-did-you-go-bankrupt-and-the-answer-is/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [In a rising market, everyone makes money and a value philosophy is unnecessary. 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It is an, with an ongoing need for judgment, refinement, patience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/it-is-important-to-remember-that-value-investing-is-not-a-perfect/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Value investing is at its core the marriage of a contrarian streak and a calculator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/value-investing-is-at-its-core-the-marriage-of-a-contrarian-streak/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [The avoidance of loss is the surest way to ensure a profitable outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/the-avoidance-of-loss-is-the-surest-way-to-ensure-a-profitable-outcome/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Do not suffer interim losses, relish and appreciate them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/do-not-suffer-interim-losses-relish-and-appreciate-them/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Ratings agencies are highly conflicted, unimaginative dupes. They are blissfully unaware of adverse selection and moral hazard. Investors should never trust them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/ratings-agencies-are-highly-conflicted-unimaginative-dupes-they-are/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [It is crucial to have a strategy in place before problems hit, precisely because no one can accurately predict the future direction of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/it-is-crucial-to-have-a-strategy-in-place-before-problems-hit/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) [Explore all 193 Seth Klarman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. 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I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. 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