Grand slam-winning tennis players don't always make the most amazing shots. They hit the fewest terrible shots. Their success lies just as much in skill as it does in discipline. Real-life investment success mirrors this principle. Sometimes, more than chasing returns, avoiding critical mistakes can make or break our investment strategies.

We all have the tendency to make instinctual and behavioural missteps— it's part of human nature. However, as investors, it's important to recognize that these instinctive human reactions can be particularly damaging if left unchecked. During bear markets, they can erode the most thoughtfully curated portfolios, leaving a tangible impact that can take years to recover from.

Today, we find ourselves amid a period of market volatility that will test investor discipline. In such times, it’s important to revisit core investing principles that center around long-term wealth creation and preserve our ability to make rational, forward-looking decision…