In order to be smart about investing in the stock market, you have to understand what you want from it. Are you looking at for financial freedom or something retire on? Are you picking the stock market because you like the challenge, or because you feel it is relatively safe? Depending upon what you desire to get out of investing in the stock market, your approach is going to differ.

With that said though, there are some basics everyone should know about investing in the stock market, before taking their hard-earned money and placing it on a speculation.

Know this — there are no hard and fast rules. One mega-successful investor will tell you to diversify your investments. They may even quote the old saying: "don't put all your eggs in one basket." Then, another investor will come along and offer words of wisdom like this: "put all your eggs in one basket, and guard that basket with your life!"

Who's right? Well, they both are. To imagine that something as complex as the stock market can be broken down into general statements is rather silly. Depending upon the circumstances, either strategy can be employable. And that's the first thing you have to learn about when investing in the stock market — flexibility.

Sometimes flexibility means putting aside your own biasm about what you think the stock is going to do. Instead, perform research and look at the indicators of the stock. Analyze objectively. Try to make a logical decision on whether it is a good investment — not an emotional decision.

For example, one of the pitfalls of investing in the stock market that many average investors face is not being able to let go of a bad decision. For these investors, once they make a decision they feel they have made a commitment. Social values have been programmed into us that once you make a commitment you should stick to it. At the same time, they identify their investments with their ego — either as successes or failures.

When you make an investment that turns south, don't get emotional then feel you have to hold onto it. You're not committed to any investment. Sometimes the biggest successes are knowing when to get out early. It's better to lose a little and move on then to ride a sinking ship to the bottom of the sea.

These are some basic ideas you should familiarize yourself with before investing in the stock market.

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