Saturday March 23, 2013
By PREMA JAYABALAN
prema.jayabalan@leaderonomics.com
Rogers is chairman of Rogers Holdings and Beeland Interests, Inc and was the co-founder of Quantum Fund with George Soros and creator of the Rogers International Commodities Index.
When asked what motivates him in life, Jim Rogers is quick to reply that it is his two daughters. According to him, he never wanted to have children as he felt they were a waste of time, money and energy. However, the arrival of his two girls has taught him much about himself and his emotions; a side of him he never knew existed before.
James Beeland Rogers Jr is a renowned American investor and author. He has written many books on investing and the world market. In fact, this doting father has even dedicated a book to his daughters to provide them with valuable lessons on life and investments. Rogers is chairman of Rogers Holdings and Beeland Interests, Inc. He was the co-founder of Quantum Fund with George Soros and creator of the Rogers International Commodities Index. Born in the rural town of Baltimore, Maryland, Rogers first ventured into business at the tender age of five by selling peanuts and picking up empty bottles that fans left behind at baseball games. Rogers graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University in 1964 and got his first job at Wall Street’s Dominick & Dominick. He acquired a second BA degree in philosophy, politics and economics from Balliol College, Oxford University in 1966.
When asked about the prerequisite when it comes to investing, he says that it has to be competency. For him, a good leader is someone who has vision. It is someone who can see how the world is going to be in the future and is able to adapt himself to the changes. He claims that one of the biggest mistakes in his life was losing quite a lot of money whilst investing. He overcame it by analysing where he had gone wrong and why he had made that mistake.
He eventually realised that one is to be blamed for one’s mistakes but the wise thing to do is to learn from them and move on.
“Invest in only things that you know a lot about. Don’t let others tell you what to do and don’t get caught up in whatever you read. Always stick to what you know best and you won’t go wrong.”
The adventurous Rogers was always intrigued by things happening around the world and he has gone around the globe twice on his motorcycle. These experiences have taught him immense lessons about people and brought him much inner peace and satisfaction.
Rogers believes one should always be sceptical about things. By being sceptical, you are not merely accepting the way everything goes but question about how it happens. It is good to be inquisitive as it helps to broaden one’s horizons and knowledge.
“You should always question things which are not clear to you. Don’t be satisfied with the answers you get; rather, do your own research for your own benefit. This will help you learn new things. Always think through things and learn how to make your own decisions without relying on others. Your own decisions are always original.”
We all have a dream but how many of us actually chase it to make it a reality? Rogers believes that if you have a dream you should pursue it. The worst that can happen is to fail but you can move on to other things. Don’t leave your wish unfulfilled and regret that you did not give it your best shot. He also believes that one should follow one’s passion without the influence of anyone as that will lead to success and happiness. Rogers lives by that mantra and look how far he has gone.
