This--> "One of the hardest lessons to learn with investing is...

This--> "One of the hardest lessons to learn with investing is to never get emotionally attached to any particular investment. Be prepared to cut your losses and realise you can always make your losses back in the next investment. This lesson took me some years to learn. Unfortunately a lot of people never learn it even though it sounds so simple and obvious."

Rubs, you are either the textbook example or you are boo boo or a related party (as allfuelled has pointed out).

You have a lot to learn to grasshopper.

No.1 - the greatest lessons learnt in life are from your mistakes. but first you need to identify/admit you made one to then work out how to avoid doing the same thing over and over again. I've made some before. everyone does. thats the point. its not a shot at you in anyway.
BUT... Until you learn no.1, I'm afraid we cannot progress any further.

Give me a call when you are ready for lesson no.2.
I've got money to make.

as always.... DYOR & GLTAH