​Ignoring the Noise is Impossible

"Just ignore the noise!" 
​Many a financial advisor has uttered those words over the years. It sounds good and I too have preached this as I have seen the global economy ebb and flow over the past 13 years advising families with their wealth.

But there is a difference between good advice and effective advice.

There’s plenty of good advice anywhere you look these days but lots of people simply ignore it because it’s not easy to follow. Good advice is preaching to your clients to stay the course. Effective advice is building portfolios that are durable and behaviorally aware enough to help clients stick to their plan. Good advice is to ignore the noise. Effective advice is to create a comprehensive investment plan that focuses on those things that are within your control.

It’s nearly impossible to ignore the noise today because you have a rectangular
supercomputer in your hands all day long that constantly beats you over the head with
news, alerts and social media posts. It’s amazing how connected we are to the world now, both good and bad in a lot of ways. It almost feels like you have to do something in times of duress and instability, but should you?

History shows us quite clearly that in fact, doing nothing is the right approach. I had a call with a client this week. I had a whole market update ready with charts about oil, geopolitical risks and such to put the current environment into perspective. Then I asked the client what they thought about the situation. I haven’t really been paying attention. I have too many other things going on in my life and work right now. That was music to my ears!

It was yet another gentle reminder that life goes on, despite what is happening in the
world. Your children’s birthdays, their graduations, your trips you’ve planned for months, this cannot and should not just stop because of what is happening on the other side of the world.

Life is going to pass us by whether we like it or not. Delayed gratification can only work
for so long, and then its too late.

My baby girl just turned 1 last week and I was astounded at how fast 365 days passed
by. Life comes at you fast and to everyone who told me that life comes even faster
once you have kids, you were right! 

As someone much wiser than me once said, the days are long but the years are short.
Make 'em count! Enjoy the time you have today with the ones you love the most.