Investing is a long-term project designed to create new wealth. The purpose for many is simply to set aside capital for use in retirement but many investors are finding that a diversified portfolio that includes both long and short-term positions is the best way to lock in value while beating the poor rates offered through bonds or traditional savings accounts.

The reality is that investing takes on many different forms, and the smart investor must be prepared to adapt to the landscape at a rapid pace in order to find success for his or her portfolio and financial future — whether that be a near or far term.

Begin with the stock market.

If you aren’t already well versed in the fundamentals of stock market trading, it's a good idea to get to know this versatile platform for commodity exchange. Like many other markets (real estate, precious metals, collectibles) the stock market offers a platform in which a young investor can internalize the lessons of the free market. But where stocks excel is in their "guardedness." The market is made up of thousands of companies in the United States, and many, many international players, aggregating to create a unique protective layer for your investments.

The first lesson that stock traders often learn is that the market may fall — and you may lose money — but those losses are only temporary, and minimal in comparison to other trading environments. Real estate purchases baked into the stock market come in the form of REIT funds, whereas a real property acquisition is a singular asset that can gain or lose an extreme percentage of its value based on many external factors that are simply outside your control.

Using the stock market to understand these major market movers is the best way to lock in this essential knowledge with access to a low-risk classroom. Then, you can venture out, asking "What is Yieldstreet?" or "How can I maximize my portfolio with antiques, fine wines, or precious metals?"

Yieldstreet is one of the better sources to apply your newfound knowledge and additional capital. Yieldstreet is an alternative investment platform that gives investors access to a variety of mutual funds that rival those in the traditional stock market environment. Growing a portfolio of any true substance requires the branching out of your asset classes to include some of the low correlation commodities that exist in the Yieldstreet marketplace.

Invest in yourself.

Investing in your own happiness is another key tip for anyone looking to continue growing as a personal and a professional. Feeling great about yourself, with the addition of some new fashion choices like lace over-the-knee boots, for instance, is the perfect way to continue fueling the hard-charging attitude that is necessary for creating success in your portfolio and elsewhere. A knee boot offers a unique combination of comfort and confidence, to help you project power into your daily routine while also placing the minimum amount of strain on your physical comfort at the same time.

Striking this balance is crucial to remaining productive and staying in tune with your ever-growing to-do list. These confidence-boosting measures are similar to what to inspect during a house tour. Looking for things in a real estate property that show signs of a well-maintained space — or alternatively, a poorly looked after home — such as fixtures like basement walls, crawl spaces, roof wear, window age, or the kitchen tiles, is one of the first pieces of advice a realtor will give you when visiting an open house. Putting yourself in a position to succeed with these small details is the best way to feel great and let that confidence wash over everything that you do.

Investing is about knowledge and confidence, make sure you take both of these with you into any purchasing opportunity you find.