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?If you've been paying attention to the financial news lately, you've likely noticed one recurring theme: uncertainty. Markets are shifting, inflation remains persistent, interest rates are unpredictable, and headlines are filled with speculation about what comes next. In moments like these, it's natural to feel uneasy. But as I've said many times before to clients, family, and friends?uncertainty isn't the time to panic. It's the time to pause, reassess, and stay grounded.


When I sit across the table from someone approaching retirement or managing significant assets, one thing is often more important than the spreadsheets and projections: their mindset. Because in times like these, it?s not always the market that derails a long-term plan?it?s the emotional reaction to it.


Emotional Triggers Can Undermine Long-Term Wisdom


Behavioral finance teaches us that most investors don?t underperform the market because of their portfolio. They underperform because of their emotions. When the market dips, the instinct is to "do something." Sell. Move to cash. Make it stop.


But reacting emotionally in a down market is like jumping out of a plane when you hit turbulence. You?re abandoning the very thing designed to carry you safely forward.


In fact, some of the most damaging decisions I?ve seen investors make have nothing to do with what the market was doing and everything to do with how they felt about what the market was doing. The fear of loss, the pressure to act, or even the overwhelming noise in the media can cause people to veer off course.


The truth is, that volatility doesn't always require action. Sometimes it requires trust in the plan you've already created?or the wisdom to build one now, before panic becomes a pattern.


In some ways, managing money is less about the numbers and more about managing behavior. A study by Dalbar found that the average investor consistently underperforms the market due to poor timing decisions, driven by emotion rather than logic. It?s not that people don?t know what to do?it?s that they struggle to follow through when fear or euphoria sets in.


Tactical Doesn?t Mean Reactive


There's been a lot of talk this year about being more "tactical." And I agree. 2025 is shaping up to be a stock picker's market. Passive strategies may not serve everyone equally in this environment. But being tactical doesn't mean reacting emotionally or chasing trends.


It means making thoughtful, informed decisions based on data and purpose. It means knowing why you're investing in something, what role it plays in your plan, and when to make adjustments.


A tactical investor is not hyperactive. They're strategic. They're clear. And they're calm.


For example, in today?s environment, we?re seeing:



Knowing when to lean into these shifts?and when to simply stay the course?requires both insight and patience.


It also means understanding the limits of your knowledge and where expert guidance can be a stabilizing force. Too often, individual investors try to navigate volatile times alone, thinking they can "outsmart" the market. But the truth is, even professionals use teams and systems to stay focused and objective.


Lessons from the Past, Wisdom for the Future


One comparison that keeps coming up is 2007. That year, too, was full of optimism and uncertainty coexisting. Some indicators suggested things were fine. Others pointed to cracks forming underneath the surface.


I'm not saying we're heading for another 2008. But I am saying that if you're within five to seven years of retirement, it's critical to understand the difference between market noise and real signals. It may be time to revisit your asset allocation. Not to panic, but to ensure you're positioned for both resilience and opportunity.


Ask yourself:



Because here's what I know: the most successful investors don?t simply build for good times. They plan for the full cycle?the highs, the lows, and the in-betweens.


Recessions, bear markets, and corrections are not aberrations. They?re part of the process. The difference between someone who weathers them well and someone who gets derailed often comes down to two things: perspective and preparation.


In fact, many of the best buying opportunities historically have come during downturns. But you don?t recognize opportunity when you?re reacting from fear. You only see it when you?re grounded in perspective.


The Discipline to Stay the Course


There?s a reason why financial professionals exist. It?s not just to manage money. It?s to provide perspective when emotion clouds judgment.


If you're someone who checks your accounts daily, feels anxious about headlines, or second-guesses your entire plan when the market pulls back?you're not alone. But those are also signs that it may be time to deepen the strategy or bring someone in who can walk alongside you.


The greatest returns often come not from timing the market, but from time in the market?paired with intentional adjustments as your life and goals evolve.


Sometimes, the biggest value of a plan is not just the numbers it contains, but the peace it provides. That peace comes from knowing that even if the world feels uncertain, you are not navigating it alone.


Working with a professional also provides accountability. Just like having a personal trainer at the gym can help you stick to a fitness goal, having a financial advisor helps you stay on track when your emotions want to lead you astray. That support system matters.


Reflection Over Reaction

This month, I encourage you to reflect before reacting. Ask yourself:



We are living in a time when the pace of change is fast and the noise is louder than ever. But that doesn?t mean your strategy needs to change every time the headlines do.


Calm, clarity, and consistency are not just investing principles?they?re leadership principles. Whether you lead your household, your business, or your community, the way you handle uncertainty sets the tone for others.


In fact, this might be the most important leadership you ever provide?not just for others, but for yourself. Because what you model now will influence how your children, your colleagues, and even your community view decision-making in a storm.


So, let?s lead well. Let?s invest wisely. And let?s remember that uncertainty, while uncomfortable, is also an invitation to refocus on what matters most.


If this message resonates with you?or if you?ve been wondering whether your plan still fits where you are today?don?t wait for the next headline to hit. Let?s talk. Let?s recalibrate if we need to. And let?s keep moving forward together.