The Key to Successful Investing (Even When Times Are Tough) is YOU!

Investing Feels Hard When the Market Gets Bumpy

Have you ever felt nervous about your money when the news says the stock market is crashing? You’re not alone. Lots of people feel that way—even those who have been investing for a long time. But here's the truth: The most important thing in investing isn't being super smart. It’s being calm and steady, even when things get tough.

Today, we’ll talk about why people often make mistakes during bad times and how you can avoid doing the same. We’ll share tips, stories, and advice to help you become a stronger and more successful investor.

Watch Now:  The Key to Successful Investing is YOU

Markets Go Up and Down. That’s Normal.

The stock market doesn’t always go up. Sometimes it goes down. This is called “volatility,” and it happens a lot. These changes can make people feel like they need to do something fast—like sell everything or change their plan.

But guess what? That feeling is just fear. And acting on fear usually leads to bad choices.

Downturns (when the market drops) are just part of investing. They're like potholes on the road—you don’t like them, but they’re part of the journey. What matters is staying on the road and not turning around just because it gets a little rough.

The Real Problem: Our Emotions

Our brains are built to protect us. When something feels dangerous, like losing money, our brain tells us to run away. But that doesn’t work well when investing.

Think of it like the commercial where the teens hide from the chainsaw killer in a shed full of sharp tools instead of getting in the running car. That’s what emotional investing looks like—it might feel right, but it’s the wrong move.

Many people panic during big market drops. Some even sell everything, pay big penalties, and miss out on the recovery.

The Media Makes It Worse

News channels love drama. They use words like “crash” or “panic” because it gets attention. But that attention can cause stress.

30 years ago, people didn’t have 24/7 access to their investment accounts. They couldn’t check their balance every five minutes on their phones. Today, we’re always plugged in, and that means we feel more stress about our money.

The best thing to do? Turn off the news when things get wild. It helps clear your mind.

You Don’t Need to Be a Genius to Be a Good Investor

Being a good investor doesn’t mean you need to be super smart. It means you need to be patient and follow your plan.

We’ve worked with doctors, engineers, and business leaders—very smart people. But even they get scared when the market drops. Intelligence doesn’t stop fear. Discipline does.

One of the best investors we know? A barber. He didn’t go to college, but he always buys when prices are low. And he holds on. He’s done very well just by keeping it simple.

What Should You Do During a Market Drop?

When things get scary in the market, you don’t need to panic. Here are four easy steps to help:

• Pause Don’t do anything right away. Take a breath and calm down.
• Talk to Someone Call your financial advisor or a friend who’s been through market drops before. Getting a different point of view helps.
• Stick to the Plan If you have a financial plan, go back and look at it. If the plan is still good, don’t change it. Trust what you set up when you were calm.
• Turn Off the News The media just makes it worse. Shut it off and give your brain a break.

Final Words of Wisdom

Conclusion: You Are the Most Important Part of the Plan

At the end of the day, you are the key to your success. Not the news. Not the market. Not even your advisor. If you stay calm, stick to your plan, and don’t let fear make your choices, you will do well over time. And if you ever feel nervous or unsure, talk to someone who understands investing. That little bit of support can make all the difference.

Until next time, stay grounded, stay patient, and stay invested.