Your emotions can influence the choices you make. Learn how to better equip yourself to make emotionally well-grounded financial decisions.
Being on an emotional roller-coaster may impact your approach to decision-making. During periods of heightened emotions, decisions tend to be based on short-term objectives, without much consideration for their long-term implications. This applies to your financial choices as well. While it may be difficult to watch the value of your portfolio decline, it may be even more difficult to recover from a series of poorly timed decisions.
It’s important to remember that remaining calm during all market environments and staying focused on the long term is critical to reaching your financial goals.
Below are a few suggestions on how to better manage your emotions, and in turn, your strategic planning and decision-making:
During times of market volatility, it may be helpful to revisit your goals to see if anything has changed. Consider asking yourself questions such as:
If the answer is “yes” to these questions, then ask yourself why you need to make any changes given the risks involved in getting it wrong. If the only thing that has changed is the current value of your portfolio, should this affect your long-term plan? These bigger-picture questions can help shift the focus away from short-term discomfort. However, if the answer to any of the questions is “no,” then discuss these changes with your advisor; they will review your plan and work with you to adjust as needed.
Are you guilty of checking your portfolio on a daily basis? One way to reduce the emotional impact of market volatility is by simply looking at it less often. The market tends to be more volatile over shorter time periods, so the more often you check, the greater the likelihood you’ll see wider fluctuations in the value of your portfolio. Checking your portfolio less frequently may mean you’re more likely to see trends over the long term.
Many advisors have been through multiple market cycles and have seen difficult periods before. Having an objective advisor who can share their expertise and experience and provide you with advice during difficult times can be extremely helpful in keeping your plan on track.
Here are some questions to consider if you are thinking about moving to cash:
Wealth plans shouldn’t be derailed by uncertainty and periods of volatility. Reacting emotionally often complicates the process, and the more you try to time your decisions according to the markets, the worse off you may be.
Even though wealth planning is driven by facts and numbers, it’s also important to take into account your feelings and beliefs about money. Nearly everything we do requires it in some shape or form – and yet money is intensely personal. People dedicate so much of their lives to earning it, and humans are emotional beings by nature.
As you grow your wealth, it’s important to work with an advisor who can share their experience and insight to help you make well-grounded financial decisions.
The material herein is for informational purposes only and is not directed at, nor intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity in any country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject Royal Bank of Canada or its subsidiaries or constituent business units (including RBC Wealth Management) to any licensing or registration requirement within such country.
This is not intended to be either a specific offer by any Royal Bank of Canada entity to sell or provide, or a specific invitation to apply for, any particular financial account, product or service. Royal Bank of Canada does not offer accounts, products or services in jurisdictions where it is not permitted to do so, and therefore the RBC Wealth Management business is not available in all countries or markets.
The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as professional advice or opinion provided to the user, nor as a recommendation of any particular approach. Nothing in this material constitutes legal, accounting or tax advice and you are advised to seek independent legal, tax and accounting advice prior to acting upon anything contained in this material. Interest rates, market conditions, tax and legal rules and other important factors which will be pertinent to your circumstances are subject to change. This material does not purport to be a complete statement of the approaches or steps that may be appropriate for the user, does not take into account the user’s specific investment objectives or risk tolerance and is not intended to be an invitation to effect a securities transaction or to otherwise participate in any investment service.
To the full extent permitted by law neither RBC Wealth Management nor any of its affiliates, nor any other person, accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this document or the information contained herein. No matter contained in this material may be reproduced or copied by any means without the prior consent of RBC Wealth Management. RBC Wealth Management is the global brand name to describe the wealth management business of the Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates and branches, including, RBC Investment Services (Asia) Limited, Royal Bank of Canada, Hong Kong Branch, and the Royal Bank of Canada, Singapore Branch. Additional information available upon request.
Royal Bank of Canada is duly established under the Bank Act (Canada), which provides limited liability for shareholders.
® Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. RBC Wealth Management is a registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. Copyright © Royal Bank of Canada 2024. All rights reserved.
We want to talk about your financial future.