The key to a successful voyage is to be a good sailor. A good sailor regularly takes account of their current position and the weather conditions and makes any necessary adjustments.
 

As with the weather at sea, markets can be unpredictable. Waves of volatility can suddenly whip up, economic currents can shift, sudden and unpredictable financial storms can threaten progress.
 

A good sailor learns that they can manage all conditions if they continue to exercise patience, determination, discipline and flexibility.
 

The important point is that you become comfortable with the idea that uncertainty is part of the investment journey, just as it is with any sea voyage. That is why preparation and planning are so critical. While you can’t control every outcome, you can be prepared for the range of possibilities and understand that you have clear choices if things don’t go according to plan.
 

Not everyone’s journey is the same. Neither is everyone’s destination. We each take different routes to different places, and we meet a range of challenges and opportunities along the way.
 

For all of us, it’s critical that we are prepared, have the right vessel for the conditions, chart our course and fix our eyes on our target.