In 2026, I find myself struggling with what to say. I was about to write about having writer’s block, but that’s not quite true. I have been writing; I just haven’t been publishing.

A lot has happened in the first three months of this year, but rather than having an opinion on every story, I’ve fallen back into a habit that dates back to my early career.

During fast-moving times that come with overlapping crises, I don’t pontificate, broadcast, or jump into action. I become a vigilant observer.

A Lesson From the Desert

In early March 2003, I was sitting in a tactical control center at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. In front of me and about twenty other PATRIOT missile soldiers was a two-story-high radar image of the skies over southern Iraq. Operation Iraqi Freedom had yet to begin, but we knew it was coming. We just didn’t know when or how events would unfold.

I was on the graveyard shift from dusk to dawn. It was quiet. We watched, communicated, and waited. The only disruption was a television in the back of the room tuned to a cable news channel.

Every time it returned from a commercial break, a red banner flashed “BREAKING NEWS” or “SPECIAL ALERT.” What I heard was, “LOOK AT THIS.”

But looking over my shoulder at headlines wasn’t my job. I was on the brink of war. My job was to focus on the screen in front of me and the people around me. The noise became a distraction. I grew resentful of it as it pulled my attention away from what mattered.

I still feel that way.

The Role of a Vigilant Observer

There are similarities between that role and the one I have today. As a financial advisor, my job is to understand what is happening in front of me and make informed judgments about what we need to do next.

That’s not easy when the headlines include:

• War in Iran
• A surge in oil prices
• AI disrupting software companies
• Looming inflation
• Risks in private credit
• A “K-shaped” economy

Any one of these could create concern. In 2026, we’ve had all of them competing for attention at once.

The ability to process news during times like this is a skill worth building, because this won’t be the last time we feel this way.

Preparation Creates Calm

The first step in becoming a vigilant observer is earning the right to be calm by planning before the crisis begins.

Last fall, Katie Brown and I recorded a podcast when markets were near all-time highs and the economy felt steady. We asked a simple question: What would you do if these were the good old days?

The answer is to prepare: Know what you own and why you own it. Understand your liquidity. Think about what risks or opportunities could emerge.

Doing this consistently is how we build peace of mind when things get harder.

Clients often ask how I stay calm with all the noise. The answer is that I model the behavior. I plan for my family. We plan for the business. And we help clients do the same.

Filtering the Noise

When a crisis emerges, preparation becomes your anchor.

I remind myself that I don’t need to have an opinion on everything. A vigilant observer understands that uncertainty was already part of the plan. If your plan assumes markets only go up, that’s not a plan.

• Negative voices will get louder. Turn them off.
• Read more. Watch less.
• Choose long-form thinking over quick reactions.
• Seek out voices that explain what is happening, not those trying to predict what comes next.

No one knows. You don’t need to guess correctly. You just need to understand what applies to you.

Thoughtful Action, Not Reaction

A vigilant observer does not feel the need to act quickly. Instead, they stay open to adjustments based on new information.

Look at your portfolio. Is each piece doing what it is supposed to do?

Proactive steps like rebalancing or tax-loss harvesting can turn a difficult environment into an opportunity.

Another helpful exercise is to write down how you feel during these moments. What caused the most anxiety? Where did you find relief? Those reflections can guide you the next time uncertainty shows up.

Staying Focused on What Matters

A complex crisis is difficult enough. It becomes harder when distractions pull us away from thoughtful decision-making.

The financial advice industry is not immune to this. There will always be someone ready to sell a solution to your fears.

If you stay focused and remain a vigilant observer of your role, your plan, your money, and your family, you can move through this environment and the ones that follow with clarity.