When the Market Drops, Your Plan Shouldn’t
- Jim Carlson
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
Market corrections aren’t rare. They’re inevitable. They don’t show up because something’s broken—they’re part of how the system breathes.
The problem isn’t the drop itself. It’s what we think the drop means.
From Panic to Perspective: Enter Marcus Aurelius
When prices fall, emotions get loud. Fear creeps in. Doubt takes over. But the best investors—and planners—don’t ask, “What’s the market doing?” They ask, “What can I do with this?”
Let’s take a cue from Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic emperor who had zero interest in financial markets but understood the game of perspective better than anyone:
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
That’s the shift. Stop yelling at the sky. Start tightening your strategy.
Planning in a Downturn Isn’t Reactive—It’s Proactive
Corrections aren’t the time to panic. They’re the time to position. When prices fall, the math changes—and with it, so do the opportunities.
Roth conversions get more efficient.
Tax-loss harvesting becomes meaningful.
Gifting appreciated assets? They’re now “on sale.”
Rebalancing isn’t maintenance—it’s a move.
Nobody can call the bottom. But we all know what opportunity looks like when it punches us in the gut. The trick is seeing past the noise long enough to act on it.
Control What You Can Control
While everyone else is refreshing their portfolio balance and spiraling, you could be optimizing:
Restructure debt
Refine allocations
Reassess your timeline
Deploy excess cash with intention
You don’t need to do everything. But ignoring the moment? That’s like watching a wide-open lane appear and refusing to run through it.
Don’t Just Survive the Storm—Use It
A correction may rattle the headlines, but it shouldn’t shake your foundation. That’s the beauty of having a plan rooted in discipline, not prediction.
In times like this, we don’t react. We reassess. We educate. We look for leverage. And we remember: planning isn’t just about riding out the storm. It’s about using the storm to get where we’re going—faster.
Want to turn market noise into strategic planning?
That’s what we do at Carlson Planning Company. If you're ready to zoom out and make long-term moves during short-term chaos, let’s talk.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making decisions based on market conditions.
Advisory services are offered through Carlson Planning Company, LLC, an investment advisory firm registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For more information, please visit www.carlsonplanning.co.
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