Navigating the Storm — The Importance of Staying the Course
- Ben Getley
- Apr 13, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Recent weeks have seen significant market volatility. This reminds us of past trade tensions. In early April 2025, President Trump publicly called for new tariffs on Chinese imports. This action reignited investor fears of a global trade conflict. Consequently, global share markets, including major indices like the MSCI World Index and the S&P 500, fell nearly 10% in just two days.
However, we've seen this dance before. During the original Trump tariff wars in 2018–2019, global equity markets experienced similar turbulence. The S&P 500 and other international indices dropped over 10% multiple times amid escalating tensions. But those who stayed invested? They not only recovered but made substantial gains in the following years.
JL Collins, in his classic book The Simple Path to Wealth, reminds us:
“The market always recovers. It always has. It always will. Stay the course.”
It's moments like these when I reach for my copy of "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins. This book helps remind me that the stock market has gone on sale and that I should stay the course. It's one of my favorite and most trusted resources on understanding the stock market, investing, and financial freedom.
The Roots of The Simple Path to Wealth
The Simple Path to Wealth grew from a series of letters JL Collins wrote for his daughter. In these letters, he aimed to explain investing, becoming financially independent, and leading a free life. He mainly focused on the topics his daughter was not yet ready to hear about money and investing.
Collins understands that most people do not want to spend their time thinking about money. He created this book with that reality in mind.
The straightforward approach he wrote for his daughter is laid out beautifully and is simple to implement. Here are some key takeaways:
Why it's important to avoid debt and what to do if you have it
How to think about money and build wealth
How the stock market works and how not to be afraid of investing
What financial independence means and how to make passive income work for you
The 4% rule and how you can live off your investments
The Simple Truth Behind Wealth-Building & Financial Freedom
Markets go down. Markets go up. But over time, they trend upward. That’s the engine of long-term wealth. It is not about timing the market; it is about having time in the market.
In The Simple Path to Wealth, Collins simplifies what decades of financial data show:
The global stock market is volatile in the short term, but unbeatable over the long term.
Trying to guess when to get in and out is a losing game.
Your best bet? Invest in broad, low-cost index funds and stay invested.
“The market is a yo-yo,” Collins says, “but you’re on an escalator going up.”
That’s the simple path. That’s the powerful mindset that most people miss.
Holding the Line — Even When It Feels Shaky
Here’s how to stay strong when the market shakes:
Remember your plan – You’re investing for the long haul, not for tomorrow's headline.
Trust the math – Historically, global stock markets return around 7% annually after inflation.
Zoom out – That 10% drop during the Trump trade war? It recovered. So did COVID. So will this.
Automate everything – Keep investing on schedule. Don’t interrupt the compounding machine.
JL Collins emphasizes simplicity. One fund. Regular contributions. Emotional detachment.
He advises:
“The market is going to go up and down. If you’re invested in VTSAX or a global index fund, just ignore the noise. Let it ride.”
The Future You’ll Thank Yourself For
Consider these questions:
What if you stopped checking the market every day?
What if you trusted your plan instead of your fear?
What if you held on while others pulled out — and came out way ahead?
Now, imagine 5, 10, or even 20 years from now. The market has gone through its normal cycles. Your future self is sitting on double, maybe triple your current net worth… because you held the line. You stayed the course. You followed the simple path to wealth.
That’s the beauty of staying invested. You don’t have to be perfect — just consistent.
Closing Thought
There will always be a new reason to panic. But there is only one path to long-term wealth:Buy. Hold. Repeat.
JL Collins laid it out. The market has proved it over and over again. Now’s not the time to run. Now’s the time to stay in the game.
Which path will you take on your journey towards financial freedom?
If any part of this resonated with you, I invite you to connect with me. Let's explore what’s holding you back and how coaching can help you.
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