My biggest mistake was buying based on hype and fear of missing out rather than business fundamentals. Early on, I chased stocks after big promotions or shortage narratives, only to discover that great stories don't always make great investments.

The lesson that changed my strategy most was this: price and value are not the same thing. Today, I focus more on company quality, earnings growth, competitive advantages, and long-term trends instead of short-term market excitement. Patience has been far more profitable than speculation.