The ocean of financial markets is never forever calm —at times stormy with crashing waves, at others swept by hidden currents. When tariff policies under the Trump administration stirred up turbulent waters, when inflation data swept through Wall Street like a violent storm, and when central banks’ monetary policies shifted like unpredictable monsoons, countless investors found their vessels of wealth tossed violently in the raging sea. The market performance during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 played out like a vivid textbook. Stocks plunged 34% in just 23 days, and the fear index VIX surged to a historical peak of 82.69, like a sudden giant whirlpool emerging on the surface, sending people into a panic to abandon ship. Yet, just 287 days later, the market not only recovered but rebounded 78% from the bottom, marking one of the strongest recoveries in history. Those who sold in panic were like sailors hastily returning to port before the storm, only to miss the most bountiful fishing season. This episode offers an eternal truth: the market's tempests will eventually subside, and those who stay the course often reach the most prosperous harbours of wealth.

In this smoke-free war of wealth defence, an investor's psychological game is far more crucial than market volatility itself. The amygdala in the human brain is like an overly sensitive storm warning system, often triggering false alarms amid normal market fluctuations. Studies show that emotional trading by average investors leads to an annualised return loss of 1.5%-2%; this "behavioural tax, when compounded over time, can devour up to 60% of potential retirement funds. Even more thought-provoking, the most attractive market gains are often concentrated in just a handful of trading days missing the 20 best-performing trading days in the S&P 500 index between 1990 and 2020 would slash annualized returns from 7.5% to 2.4% It's like pausing during a mountain hike and missing the most breathtaking view just as the clouds part.

In this investment ocean full of uncertainty, true navigators live by three core survival rules. The first is the "compass rule"— establishing an asset allocation strategy that aligns with one's life stage, just like choosing different vessels for different journey lengths. A 30-year-old investor can sail a tall ship with 90% in equities, while a 60-year-old may be better suited for a steady ferry with 40% in bonds. Next is the

"anchoring rule"-using regular, fixed-amount investments to smooth out market volatility, akin to dropping an anchor during a storm to maintain stability. Data shows that investors who committed to 20 years of monthly investments in the Nasdag index, even through two financial crises, still achieved an 11% annualized return Lastly, there's the "watchtower rule"— working with professional financial advisors who act as seasoned pilots, capable of spotting real risks and opportunities through the fog. It's worth noting that this professional relationship is undergoing a revolutionary transformation; robo-advisors, like modern lighthouses equipped with satellite navigation, are now offering 24/7 expert guidance to ordinary investors. When the market storm hits, this "navigation system" built on these rules helps investors avoid emotional decisions and maintain rational judgment.

Every market crisis serves as a stress test, weeding out fragile speculators and rewarding resilient long-term investors. Markets always manage to rise from the ashes, just as new shoots often grow stronger after a forest fire. For individual investors, true wisdom lies not in predicting when the storm will come, but in building a vessel sturdy enough to weather any gale through diversified asset allocation, strict risk management, and steadfast long-term discipline.