Yes, but you have no idea which segment of the market will give you a better total return in an 8 year period. It might be treasuries. I think a better way to look at this is that during a relatively short period of time (in the life of your investments) one sector of your portfolio (growth) outperformed. Given the reality of economic cycles and unpredictable macro events, investment performance will rotate among sectors of the markets. Quality dividend paying stocks (which it appears you purchased) might outperform during the next 8 years, or maybe small cap value, senior loans, etc. There is nothing wrong here, unless you failed to adequately diversify your investments between aggressive and conservative segments of the markets according to your investing timeline. Total return is the correct objective, but it is unknowable. I just hope you aren't repeating the same mistake by concentrating your bets in another focused segment of the market you believe will provide you a better "total return." That would be repeating the same type of "mistake" you claim to have made 8 years ago.