I’ve been in the financial advisory world for almost 40 years. I’ve learned a lot about how markets work, but more important, I’ve observed how successful investors react to market volatility. I’ve experienced many bear markets, where stocks have dropped over 20%.
Bottom line – the most successful investors call us to discuss increasing their stock allocations during these declines. Those clients who panic and want to reduce their stock allocation or even bail out entirely have done poorly, and many have aggravated themselves to near emotional breakdowns.
So, what do you do when you see your portfolio drop? You’ve heard us say “stay the course” over and over. I realize this is really hard to do. But having the discipline to stick to the fundamentals is what separates successful investors from market-timing gamblers. So, let’s look at the traits of a successful investor:
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Bruce is a Certified Financial Planner, Wealth Advisor, and Chairman of the Board at Willow Creek Wealth Management. Willow Creek is a fee-only financial planning firm in Sonoma County, CA serving clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country. Willow Creek offers comprehensive financial planning encompassing investment management, retirement planning, tax planning, charitable giving, sustainable investing, and more.
