“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William Arthur Ward
When the markets or the economy are volatile, it is very natural to feel the desire to run away from the uncertainty. We worked hard for our savings, and to see some of it disappear in a matter of months can sometimes feel unbearable. The data is clear, though, that selling after a downturn is almost always the worst choice.
Think of it this way: if we were traveling across the ocean, would a sudden storm be a good reason to abandon a ship? Maybe the ship we are already on is our best chance at navigating the storm.
This key lesson is the same in the investing world. If we are in a quality group of assets, then we are exactly where we need to be. There are periods of smooth sailing with little stress and periods of storms where stress is inevitable. Having emotions is natural—we are human. How we respond to an emotional impulse is critical to making sure that we reach our destination.
The future is uncertain, but those who have succeeded through past uncertainty have stuck to a strategy of prudence, diversification, and patience. It can make sense to make slight adjustments to cope with the new environment as it evolves, but that is more like adjusting the sails rather than abandoning the ship.
We cannot know exactly how long a storm will last, but we can know how to weather it.
Storms will come, and they will pass. If history is any guide, then one day, we will look back at this time with clarity as the wind dissipates and the rain gives way to a new sunny day.
This week, the Finger Five Financial was written by Paul Saunders, one of our Financial Advisors in our office.
On the lighter side, Elliott is home. He got a 4.0 this semester. We missed him so much. He is taking Macro Economics over the summer and going to intern at Riverbend. I attended an Exit Planning Summit this past weekend. The purpose was to meet with thought leaders about how business owners can grow and exit their business. See a few pictures below.
Hope all is well with your family,
Jeremy
Finger Financial Five – 5 points in 5 minutes or less – is to provide you with a weekly shot of useful financial information. My intention is to share principles, so that you will have more clarity, that help you make better financial decisions.
Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Advisors, LLC and Riverview Wealth Management are separate entities.
The information presented in this newsletter is the opinion of the writer and do not reflect the view of any other person or entity. The information provided is believed to be from reliable sources, but no liability is accepted for any inaccuracies. This is for information purposes only and should not be construed as an investment recommendation.
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results, and there is no assurance that the investment objective will be achieved or that the strategies employed will be successful. All investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.
The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
