There are several challenges to being a good investor. Here are seven of the top hurdles to overcome:

1. Emotions: One of the biggest challenges for investors is managing their emotions. Fear, greed, and other emotions can lead investors to make irrational decisions that harm their portfolio.

2. Lack of knowledge: Successful investing requires a solid understanding of financial markets, accounting, and economics. Investors who lack knowledge in these areas may struggle to make informed investment decisions.

3. Timing the market: It is difficult to time the market and predict when stock prices will rise or fall. Attempting to time the market can lead to missed opportunities and significant losses.

4. Market volatility: Market volatility can be unsettling and can lead investors to make hasty decisions that are not in their best interests.

5. Overconfidence: Overconfidence can lead investors to take on too much risk, make poor investment decisions, and ignore warning signs.

6. Confirmation bias: Investors may also suffer from confirmation bias, which is the tendency to seek out information that supports their existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts those beliefs.

7. Lack of patience: Successful investing requires patience and a long-term view. Investors who are looking for quick returns may take on too much risk and make poor investment decisions.

Overall, becoming a successful investor requires discipline, knowledge, and the ability to manage emotions and remain patient in the face of market volatility.

Surprising to many: the fact is that investing wisely is NOT difficult. This is especially true if you are optimistic about the future of the world (or just your country). You simply buy and hold index funds for a decade or two. This way, you get automatic exposure to the most successful companies in your market at a very low cost, without even needing to perform any portfolio maintenance transactions. Warren Buffett himself recommends this method for most investors. You could invest a lump sum, a fixed amount every month (dollar cost averaging), or both!

Advanced investors can start understanding asset valuations before buying and selling. Read Benjamin Graham, Peter Lynch, Mohnish Pabrai, and Phil Fisher to learn more about this.

Here are some strategies that can help investors overcome the challenges to earning profits safely and consistently over the years:

1. Develop a long-term investment strategy: A long-term investment strategy can help investors remain focused on their investment goals and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.

2. Educate yourself: Knowledge is key to becoming a successful investor. By learning about financial markets, accounting, and economics, investors can make informed investment decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

3. Diversify your portfolio: Diversification can help investors manage risk and avoid putting all their eggs in one basket. By investing in a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets, investors can reduce the impact of market volatility on their portfolio.

4. Stay disciplined: Successful investing requires discipline and the ability to stick to a plan. Investors who remain disciplined and avoid making emotional decisions are more likely to achieve their investment goals.

5. Manage your emotions: Investors who can manage their emotions and avoid letting fear, greed, or other emotions drive their investment decisions are more likely to be successful.

6. Be patient: Successful investing requires patience and a long-term view. Investors who are patient and avoid looking for quick returns are more likely to make sound investment decisions and achieve their investment goals.

7. Seek advice from professionals: Investors who are unsure about their investment strategy or need help navigating the market can seek advice from financial professionals such as financial advisors, brokers, or other investment professionals.