4. Stay grounded!

Dravid is a rock -– totally composed, completely unflappable. Nothing ruffles him, nothing disturbs his concentration and his confidence –- not the screaming crowds, not opponents looking to sledge him.

He absorbs pressure and never gives in to it even when the going is tough -- as centuries on the tough tracks of Australia, South Africa, England and the West Indies indicate. He is not called The Wall for nothing.

Staying power is crucial. Specially when the market is caving in.

When you invest, you may watch with horror as the prices of your shares decrease. If you have invested in a sound company, don't let fear grip you.

Typically, this is how investors react.

In a bull run, when market sentiment is high and the Sensex climbs upward steadily taking share prices with it, people get greedy. They begin to buy shares like it is going out of style. Chances are high the investor will end up paying a steep price for his shares.

The stock market is cyclical. What goes up must come down.

The bull run will inevitably be followed by a bear market. This is when the market sentiment drops and the Sensex begins its fall. When share prices start tumbling, investors begin to panic. And, instead of holding on, begin to sell before the prices drop further. Big mistake!

Don't be under pressure to sell when the market is falling. Hold on to your investment. Remember, you are in for the long haul. In the next bull run, you will be able to book some good profits.

Photograph: Ben Radford/Getty Images