The daily routine of a fund manager: From market fluctuations to wrinkles in clothes
Most people's perception of a fund manager is limited to a meeting room, stock market screens and a well-dressed person. But those who are actually in such a position know that it is a job that requires a great deal of concentration.
Every day when I wake up, the market has already completed half of its cycle. The Asian session, the European session, and the U.S. stock futures - the information won't wait for you to finish your morning routine. Even a brief misjudgment could be infinitely magnified in the subsequent trading day.
This job requires you to maintain rationality, restraint and stability in a highly uncertain environment.
That's why I am extremely sensitive to all the "disorder, procrastination, and extra energy consumption" in life.
Including - what to wear each day, and whether it looks appropriate or not.
For me, dressing is never a matter of style.
In the asset management industry, dressing is not a tool for expressing individuality; rather, it is a form of "background noise management".
If your shirt has obvious wrinkles, others won't point them out immediately, but subconsciously, it will become an unnecessary distraction signal.
In an industry that values "trust" and "judgment", any distraction is not worth it.
What I need is:
- It always looks clean and tidy.
- Does not consume thinking resources
- No additional planning or preparation is required.
This is also the reason why I began to take clothing care seriously later.
The real demand for "efficiency tools" under high-intensity work conditions
My working day is roughly like this:
- Get up before 6 a.m. and quickly review the overnight market situation.
- Complete the basic assessment by 7:30.
- Morning consecutive meeting
- The afternoon is frequently interrupted by transactions or unexpected events.
- In the evening, review the day's progress, write down notes, and prepare the strategies for the next day.
At this pace, it's almost impossible for me to accept any kind of life routine that requires a sense of ceremony.
The problem with traditional irons is that they require you to set aside specific time for them:
finding the ironing board, adjusting the temperature, smoothing out the clothes, and repeating the process over and over again.
For me, this is not organizing but a burden.
It wasn't until one of my business trips that I used a garment steamer for the first time in a hotel room.
That experience was very clear:
I realized that it was more like a tool designed for a demanding career, rather than a part of household chores.
Why is the Garment Steamer more in line with the usage logic of fund managers?
The garment steamer solves the problem of "the clothes not being flat", but rather the issue of "I don't want to think about this for even one more minute".
First, it does not require a preparation state.
I don't need to plan in advance which day to iron the clothes.
Even if I decide to change a shirt on the spur of the moment, as long as it is hung up, the steam will pass through it and it will be fine.
In a profession where decisions have to be made on the fly every day, such "instantly accessible" tools are extremely important.
Second, it reduces the cost of judgment.
An iron needs to judge the temperature, angle and force.
While steam only requires you to keep a certain distance.
As someone who makes risk judgments on a daily basis, I highly value those tools that do not require me to make any further judgments.
Thirdly, it is sufficiently safe.
I once ruined a rather expensive suit because of a mistake during ironing.
For me, that kind of regret was completely unnecessary.
The steam leaves no bright marks and does not damage the fabric structure, which makes me feel very at ease when using it.
The actual scenarios and fabrics that I have actually used
I don't like generalizations, so I will only write about my own long-term usage experience.
Business shirts (almost every day)
This is the primary application.
Steam can quickly eliminate the creases caused by wearing, restoring the shirt to its natural softness and smoothness, rather than making it overly flat.
Later, I realized that:
The true sense of professionalism is not as stiff as what is shown in a store display, but rather looks clean and has a breathing quality.
Suit jackets (high frequency)
Nowadays, I basically avoid letting the iron come into contact with the suit.
The steam can restore the shoulder line and sleeve shape without damaging the original cut.
For those who frequently travel on business and need to frequently put on and take off suits, this is extremely important.
Knitted and woolen garments
This is my most unexpected gain.
Previously, I could only send these clothes for washing. Now, by controlling the distance properly, I can restore their condition.
The way Nesugar came into my view
I came across Nesugar not because of any recommendation, but during my own search for information related to garment steamers.
As an investor, I have an inherent sense of vigilance when it comes to information.
I tend to trust brands that do not over-explain themselves and do not rush to prove their value.
Nesugar gives me the impression that it is more about "the act of using" rather than creating emotions.
In my opinion, this restraint actually represents a professional signal.
From a professional perspective: Who are these tools truly suitable for?
Around me, those who have been using garment steamers for a long time generally share similar characteristics:
- The work pace is uncontrollable.
- There are basic requirements for one's external appearance.
- Doesn't want to spend time on repetitive and low-value tasks
Fund managers, lawyers, consultants, and corporate executives -
These people are not seeking a luxurious lifestyle, but rather a stable and consistent performance.
Final Note: Professionalism often lies in the most inconspicuous places
I have been investing for many years and have come to realize one thing:
People with stable long-term performance tend to be very restrained in their daily lives.
A properly handled shirt will not change the market trend,
but it will make you appear reliable, calm and trustworthy in crucial occasions.
The garment steamer is just such a tool for me.
It doesn't draw attention, yet it quietly maintains order every day.
And order itself is one of the most scarce resources in this industry.
