Investor DNA Worksheet

The concept of Investor DNA is understanding who you are as a person first, and then using that knowledge about yourself as a basis for determining which investments are a good fit for you, your family, and your business. My 5 Day Weekend collaborator Garrett Gunderson has created a worksheet to help you discover this.

This is a longer post than usual, but it’s important to have the worksheet together. Complete the worksheet in detail, and write down your personal Investor DNA statement at the end.

The core components of Investor DNA include:

1. Core Values. These are the things you deem to be import- ant and esteem highly. They create a foundation for making decisions.
2. Core Competencies. These are your strengths, experiences, and areas in life where you can create high levels of value. Each person has abilities in varying degree, so identifying where you are at your absolute best is a first step in creating clarity around where your Investor DNA is strongest.
3. Core Drivers. Those things that motivate and energize you. They are essentially the “gas in the tank” that help fuel you on a daily basis. Drivers: Energy connected to an idea, concept, or activity. Think about what energizes you and when you feel at your best.
4. Core Focus. These are the areas of life you’re willing to take all the way. In the world of investing, we are each told to diversify, but by definition, diversification is the opposite of focus and will pull you away from those things that are most important to you.

The best investments for you are those that align in all four areas.

1. Identify Your Core Values

Circle the values in the list below that resonate with you most:

Accomplishment Abundance Accountability Adaptability Appreciation Bravery Candor Certainty Community Completion Continuity Courage Decisiveness Dependability Discipline Dreaming Empathy Expertise Fortitude Freedom Gratitude Growth Harmony Honesty Humor Intuition Integrity Learning Mastery Mindfulness Optimism Progress Patience Relaxation Self-respect Service Structure Timeliness Truth Vision

Now narrow down the values above to the five most important values and then prioritize them 1 through 5 from most important to least important.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Next, you will begin to outline your Investor DNA (part 1 of 4). Capture your greatest value by completing the following:

I am a person of…

2. Get Clear on Your Core Competencies

What activities create the most energy for you? What are you most complimented on?

What talents do you get paid for?

In what activities have excelled in during the past?

Now categorize each of those competencies into Good, Better or Absolute Best.

Strength:

Category: Good, Better or Best

Your competencies identify the actions you can engage to make the biggest impact. This is part 2 of 4 of your Investor DNA statement. Capture your greatest competencies by filling in the following:

I live my purpose by sharing…

3. Identify Your Core Drivers

List out areas of your life, activities, or situations that make you feel the most alive and excited:

I am happiest when…

I am most creative when… I am most excited about…

What hobbies can cross over to produce income? Are there any areas you are making money and not currently aligned with what drives you? If so, what are they?

Next, list your drivers below and ask yourself why they energize you (what about them is exciting or why do you think they motivate you?)

Drivers:

Why it energizes you:

Add these to your Investor DNA statement. This is part 3 of 4 of your Investor DNA statement.

I am a person of…

4. Determine Your Core Focus

Answer the following questions to focus on what is most important to you.

If you could only do three things, what would they be?

Where have you been pulled away from what is most important in your life because you’ve been distracted?

What do you say yes to, but should say no to?

What happens to your focus when you are not fully committed and/or distracted? What distracts you?

Do you have any investments that drain your energy?

Are you invested in any area not aligned with your values, drivers or competencies?

What investments do you want to focus on?

Add these to your Investor DNA statement. This is part 4 of 4 of your Investor DNA statement.

I stand for…

Investor DNA Profile

In the matrix below, you will be able to further identify if an investment is something to be considered or avoided. Mark all boxes that apply.

For example, before investing in anything, ask yourself if it is aligned with your knowledge, passion, purpose, and overall plan. If you feel it is completely incongruent or you have no knowledge about this type of investment, simply move on knowing this is not an investment that is right for you. Or if it is something that you have unique knowledge about, study on a regular basis, and have a great understanding of how it might work, you can mark that it is aligned and to what degree you feel that way. This is the first stage of doing proper due diligence and saving yourself from spending time on something that doesn’t t your Investor DNA profile.

Quality of Life Questions

Answer the following questions to get further clarity on your Investor DNA:

What is it about money that is important to you? What are the best uses of money for you?

What makes you happiest in life, and when/how do you spend money aligned with those activities?

Do you have any investments that drain your energy?

Investor DNA Statement (copy over what you wrote from the bottom of pages 1, 2, 3, and 4):

I am a person of…

I live my purpose by… I stand for…

Understanding and staying congruent with your Investor DNA is how you reduce your risk and create value with your investments. As Garrett Gunderson teaches, “Don’t diversify, focus. Find those things completely aligned with your core values and competencies and then remove all other things; they are a distraction.”

In my next post, I’ll explore how to conduct due diligence on your investments.

I’d love to hear from you in the meantime, about your Investor DNA. Have you learned anything about yourself from doing these exercises? Thank you for sharing.

Secure your copy of the “5 Day Weekend” book. 5 Day Weekend: Freedom to Make Your Life and Work Rich with Purpose [Nik Halik & Garrett Gunderson]

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