Make sure the potential reward is worth your capital's time. Risk profile sounds like a fancy finance term but it's not. Take 5 minutes to understand it. This next line will sound cliche but bear w me. Does the reward significantly outweigh the risk within my timeframe? Perfect example. SpaceX $SpaceX(SPCX)$ IPO was cool and all...but thinking objectively here. Do you really have outsized reward potential buying during the euphoria of the most anticipated IPO of all time? Probably not. That doesn't mean it can't and won't make ATHs at some point, but this back to my original question up there. The reward RIGHT NOW does not significantly outweigh the risk for me. When looking at a new position, I want to see the potential for 100%+ returns. Won't a