The upcoming Memorial Day holiday is a time to remember and reflect. It gives us a moment to step back, gain perspective, and appreciate what matters most. That idea applies to investing more than it may seem. Right now, there’s no shortage of concerns. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East, rising oil prices tied to tensions with Iran, lingering inflation, and constant debate about where markets go next.
If you’ve checked the news lately, you’ve likely seen headlines like: Stocks fall, oil prices rise on darkening economic outlook from Middle East war The tone feels serious. And when markets pull back at the same time, it’s easy to feel like something bigger is happening.
If you’ve been following financial news, you’ve likely noticed a shift in how the media talks about artificial intelligence. Earlier this year, AI headlines were full of optimism and breakthroughs. Recently, though, the tone has cooled. Terms like “AI fatigue” and “disappointing results” are showing up more often, and the conversation feels more cautious.
Warren Buffett has officially stepped down from Berkshire Hathaway, and last month he wrote his final shareholder letter. While much of it reflected on his upbringing, he closed with a few “final thoughts” that offer powerful guidance for investors today.
Seinfeld fans love the irrational antics of George Costanza, partly because we recognize pieces of ourselves in his behavior. While George never set out to give financial advice, his quirks highlight important truths about human behavior and investing. In Season 5, Episode 20, George is at a birthday party when he suddenly spots a fire. Panic sets in. He bolts for the door, pushing aside an elderly woman and even peeling a child off the exit. Rational George disappeared the instant fear took over.
The media often run sensational, concerning headlines that can mislead investors who take them at face value. In recent weeks, much has been made about extended valuations, with reports noting that the Shiller P/E ratio is the highest since the dot-com bubble. But is valuation really a reliable gauge?
The best investors aren’t defined solely by knowledge or access to information. Much like world-class poker players, their real edge is mental game—the ability to stay composed and make sound decisions under pressure. Maria Konnikova, in her work on professional poker, notes that what separates the truly elite from the merely good is psychological fortitude: the capacity to perform consistently despite setbacks, mistakes, and poor short-term results. Investing is no different. Success often hinges less on finding the “right” stocks and more on maintaining discipline when fear and uncertainty are highest.
Lately, the headlines have zeroed in on artificial intelligence. Some say AI is in a bubble and warn of a coming burst. But AI is just the latest storyline. Not long ago, it was inflation, rising interest rates, or fears of recession. Add in concerns about high stock valuations and a slowing economy, and there’s always something to make investors uneasy. For many, the natural question becomes: What should I do?
2025 has tested investors with market dips from tariff shocks, geopolitical tensions like the Israel–Iran conflict, and sliding consumer confidence—yet the S&P 500 has rebounded more than 24% from April’s low. In such volatility, the temptation to pull out is strong, but doing so risks missing the recovery. The key is to focus on what you can control, stick to your long-term financial plan, and ride out the turbulence with your goals in sight.
April showered us with a few days of strong stock market losses. The market lost nearly 5% one day, followed by 6% the next day for a total drawdown of 18% from recent highs. When such strong losses occur, it is totally natural for our brains to go haywire. The losses, accompanied by negative headlines, feed our anxiety and can trigger strong urges to get to safety by selling now and asking questions later. But following those urges is seldom the best response. A better response is to take a step back regain composure. In my experience, I have found the following four actions to be helpful during difficult market times.