A few months ago, Cole and Parker were in my nephew’s wedding. Let’s just say tuxedos weren’t exactly their first choice.
Apparently, dress shoes are too tight, bow ties are designed to choke, and tuxedo jackets are way too hot for a Mississippi summer.
The funny thing is, they’ll probably remember that wedding for the rest of their lives. They’ll remember standing beside their cousin on one of the biggest days of his life.
It reminded me of something we all experience at one point or another:
The greatest things in life are usually found on the other side of discomfort.
The same is true in marriage. Parenting. Faith. Business. And it’s certainly true when it comes to investing.
Over the last ten years, investors have had no shortage of reasons to worry.
We watched the uncertainty surrounding Brexit in 2016. We experienced a nearly 20% market decline in late 2018 amid trade tensions and rising interest rates. In 2020, COVID shut down the global economy, and the market fell roughly 34% in just over a month—the fastest bear market in history. Since then, we’ve experienced the highest inflation in forty years, the fastest pace of interest-rate hikes in decades, the war in Ukraine, regional bank failures, and, more recently, renewed concerns over tariffs, inflation, and conflict in Iran.
Every one of those moments felt different. Every one of them produced headlines telling investors this time was different. And every one of them tempted people to abandon their long-term plan.
Yet here we are.
Businesses adapted. The economy moved forward. Innovation continued. Markets recovered and reached new highs. History has a funny way of reminding us that uncertainty is normal.
The best investors aren’t the ones who avoid discomfort. They’re the ones who understand that discomfort is part of the journey.
Volatility isn’t a flaw in investing—it’s the price of admission for long-term growth.
Our job is to help you build a sound financial plan, remind you of what you own and why you own it, and encourage you to stay focused on your long-term goals when emotions are pulling you in another direction.
One of the reasons I’m especially excited about our Client Appreciation Event this November is that our guest speaker embodies this very idea.
Our speaker served as an Army Ranger during the Battle of Mogadishu—the mission portrayed in Black Hawk Down. He’ll share what it was like to lead through uncertainty, fear, and impossible circumstances while remaining focused on the mission. His story isn’t just about military service. It’s about perseverance, courage, leadership, faith, and continuing to move forward when every instinct tells you to quit.
I think it’s a message all of us can relate to.
Whether you’re a young boy wearing an uncomfortable tuxedo, an Army Ranger serving his country, or an investor watching markets swing wildly, the greatest growth in life usually happens just outside our comfort zone.
Thank you for trusting our family and our team to walk alongside yours. It is a responsibility we never take lightly. We are grateful for each of you and look forward to continuing to serve you and your family for many years to come.
With gratitude,
Bain Nickels, CFP®, CKA®
President | Financial Planner
