Every family has its quirks. In mine, one of the favorites is something we call the Family Podcast Group. Each week, someone, whether a child, sibling, niece, or nephew, chooses a podcast that inspired him or her. It sounds simple, but it has turned into one of those traditions that brings everyone closer. Instead of talking about errands and schedules, we end up talking about ideas that actually matter.
One week, instead of sharing someone else’s episode, I decided to create one myself. I kept circling back to an idea from Jocko Willink, a former Navy SEAL, who teaches a surprisingly powerful word for handling setbacks: “good.” Just that one word. At first, it seems strange. A market dip, a job loss, an unexpected challenge, and the recommendation is to pause and say “good”? But when you look deeper, especially through the lens of investing and long-term planning, the idea becomes much more compelling.
I was reminded of a client who once called me during a sharp market downturn. He did not sound shaken at all. He sounded calm. “After all these years, I finally get it,” he said. He realized he could not control the markets. None of us can. But he could decide how to respond. Because he already had a plan, he felt steady instead of stressed. That call captured the heart of the idea: E + R = O. Event plus Response equals Outcome.
The event is what happens. Markets move. Currency rates shift. Tax rules change. Family needs evolve. If you are living in Israel while managing U.S. brokerage or IRA accounts, the events can feel nonstop. One market opens while the other closes. Headlines appear at odd hours. By the time you wake up, the financial world may have taken an unexpected turn.
The response, though, is where your real influence begins.
This is where the “good” moment helps. It is not pretending everything is fine. It is creating a pause between what happened and how you interpret it. That pause gives you a little space to avoid sliding into a spiral of worry. It is mental first aid. The market went down. That is a fact. Saying that a financial future is ruined is a story. The pause helps separate the two.
Philosophers like Marcus Aurelius talked about this idea long before modern investors existed. Events do not disturb us as much as our reactions to them. Psychologists like Carol Dweck and Angela Duckworth echo the same message in different ways. A growth mindset and steady perseverance often matter more than perfect conditions. You cannot control the event, but you can shape your response.
After you pause, the next step is to ask, “What is the opportunity here?” It is a simple question, but it shifts your mind from panic to perspective. It does not mean pretending that everything will turn out well. It means looking for the part you can learn from or improve. A surprise expense might reveal that an emergency fund needs attention. A volatile market might remind you to review your risk levels. Sometimes the opportunity is not dramatic. It is clarity.
Then comes the anchor of the whole approach: control the controllable. The formula does not promise perfect outcomes, and investing always carries uncertainty. But it helps you focus on what is actually within reach. You can decide how often you check your accounts. You can choose whether you act based on a long-term plan or on a headline that flashes across your phone. You can adjust your portfolio when your life circumstances change. You can ask for guidance when something feels unclear.
These choices do not guarantee success, but they may reduce the chances of making decisions you later regret.
This mindset shows its value most clearly during big life disruptions. Losing a job. Facing a health issue. Getting hit with an unexpected bill. None of these moments feel “good.” But the pause, question, response pattern can help you move forward instead of feeling stuck. It gives you a moment to think. And sometimes a moment is enough to change the direction of the next step you take.
The same idea applies to investing. Markets will fall at times, and portfolios do not grow in a straight line. If you are living in Israel and watching U.S. markets from a different time zone, the extra distance can add pressure. But if you can say, “Good, here is a chance to check whether my plan still makes sense,” you shift from reacting to choosing. You may decide to rebalance. You may stay the course. You may adjust. The point is not that any choice is perfect. It is that the choice is intentional.
Over time, practicing this approach in small, everyday situations builds a kind of internal steadiness. When the bus is late or a meeting moves or a small bill pops up, you can rehearse the same pattern. Pause. Ask the opportunity question. Choose your response. These small repetitions build strength for the bigger financial decisions that come your way.
For anyone in Israel managing U.S. accounts, this mindset can be especially useful. Exchange rates move unpredictably, paperwork can feel overwhelming, and market noise never stops. You may not be able to control those things, but you can control how you respond. That response often has more influence on your long-term results than any single event ever will.
If there is one idea to take with you, it is that small choices, made consistently, can shape how you experience financial uncertainty. The word “good” is not magic. It may, however, help you pause long enough to make a clearer decision.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. You should speak with a qualified professional before taking any action.
If you would like help building your own steady, thoughtful approach to managing U.S. brokerage or IRA accounts from Israel, feel free to reach out. Visit profile-financial.com/call to see whether working together could be a good fit.
