I buy stocks knowing that I am picking the losers. I expect to lose money! In 2 years I have made no money from stocks. I just leave  my investments alone and hope they go up one day!

I look at long term investment much like constructing a house. You need to build a strong foundation to support the rest of the structure for the future. As time goes on you add to that foundation to continue building knowing full well that your structure will stand the test of time. Eventually you are able to expand your foundation and build a larger house.
Investing is the same, without good long term stocks to support you, your future future has nothing to build with.