Yesterday the FTSE 100 reached a 14-year high of 6898.62, bringing good news for investors. However, there remains a degree of uncertainty from market commentators to whether we could potentially be on the verge of another fall in the stock market. For first-time or budding investors there is bound to be a degree of nerves. Yet, it is always important to remember the golden rules of investment.

Firstly, investing is a long-term game. No one should expect to make millions overnight. Remember that stock markets rise and fall every day. There are naturally going to be good years, as well as bad ones, but we should always be looking at the bigger picture and our wider savings goals.

With this in mind, investors need to look beyond the day-to-day headlines. The FTSE 100 reaching a record high or surpassing the 7,000 mark may well be significant, but it doesn’t mean that we are simply heading off a cliff. Investors looking for wider economic indicators are best paying more attention to the actions of the Bank of England than the London Stock Exchange.

More widely, depending on how you manage your investment, whether you look after your shares through an online platform or it is managed by a wealth manager or stockbroker, then you should ensure that you review your portfolio regularly. Unless you’ve put your money in bonds, with their guaranteed rates of return, you should always check your investments to see how they’re performing or consult with your investment manager. As an investor don’t fret about day-to-day movements, but don’t forget about it altogether!

If you are thinking about investing for the first time and see yourself as risk averse then do your research and see what types of investment are more suited both to your personality and your personal situation.

Finally, and to reiterate, there is no science to investing, particularly if you are looking to save for the long term. Remember to go at your own pace, look beyond the headlines and ultimately, if you feel that’s becoming too much then take a break. There will be an opportunity to return and you will be a more experienced investor when that time arrives.

Liz Field is CEO of the Wealth Management Association.