7 Hard-Earned Rules That Made Me Go From Panic To Profit (The Market Crash Playbook)

Today started off being branded as "Black Monday 2.0". My wife asked if that was a knock-off of Black Friday and there were sales happening. Well, sort of. But its not a sale on toasters and TVs...

So yeah, the markets are tanking and bi-polar levels of volatile as government powers negotiate. And if you have a 401(k) or any stocks, you might be freaking out.

I get it. I've done the same before.

But the reality is these downturns aren’t new. In fact, we should expect them every 5–7 years. If you’ve been around long enough, you know the pattern.

I’ve personally lived through four so called "once-in-a-generation" market crashes in my adult life.

• The first two caught me with my pants down.

• The third one hurt, but I finally paid attention and started learning.

• And now, on my fourth? I’m prepared. I’m positioned. And I’m aiming to come out of this one winning big.

I’m not writing this to show off. I’m writing this so you can learn from my pain.

These are the 7 rules that changed the game for me.

They’re not theories. They’re battle-tested principles I live by (and stole from super rich people) especially when markets start to shake.

1. Do what the rich do, not what they say

When I saw CEOs and investors like Warren Buffet selling in a January, I sold some too.

I’m not smarter than a billionaire.

But I’m not dumb enough not to learn from them either.

2. Cash is king, always and forever

The catchy “cash is trash” sentiment is for people who are gamblers.

They over-invest, and when corrections come, they have no ammo to take advantage of deals.

I’m currently sitting with 43% of my portfolio in cash and with the market entering bear country (a 20% downturn or worse), I feel good today.

3. Investing in a personal brand is better than most stocks

I own a business and my brand brings me clients.

A $10,000 investment in my brand that brings me 3 clients at $12,000 each is a 360% ROI.

You won’t find that in the stock market.

On top of that, the focus and clarity that comes with it helps me adapt and make money in turbulent times faster than my competition.

4. Investing in a personal brand brings me options

I get GOOD job offers weekly.

I have a strong network of people that will hire me if I ask.

Worse case scenario when downturns happen, if I wanted to shut down my business, I have immediate options to go elsewhere (I’m not, but it’s nice to have).

But I can also leverage that with existing clients who trust me. If I need to make a business pivot, the clients I serve know that I have their best interest at heart.

This increases client retention and keeps things afloat in hard times.

5. When in doubt, zoom WAY out

Feel like its the end of your portfolio and future? Are you considering moving back in with your parents if they'll have you?

Hold on for a second and check out some recent "disasters"...

• In 2022 and 2020, we had dips this big
• There was the "Christmas Crash" in 2018 where the market dropped 19.8% (0.2% away from being an official bear market)
• A 19.4% drop in 2011 for funsies
• The global financial meltdown in 2008
• Another monster with the dot-com bust in 2000

I could keep going and there's plenty of 16-18% dips all throughout that.

And keep in mind, the past 14 years have been THE BEST MARKET RETURNS EVER during that long of a stretch in this country's history.

But people forgot about those already. And they'll forget about this one.

Don’t be a prisoner to the moment.

6. Play long term games with everything

Your marriage.
Your business.
Your brand.
Your development.

Have big dreams for them and long-term plans for them all.

You’ll win simply by outlasting a lot of your competition.

7. Money is not my god

We all have a “god slot” which is what we ultimately put our highest level of trust in.

For some it’s the universe, or the government, or themselves, or Jesus, or money.

I’ve received incredible blessings in the form of my 3 healthy children, loving wife, supportive family and good friends.

I could sell my house and move back in with my parents if I lost all my money and I would still have EVERYTHING.

My faith and trust isn’t in money, so when my portfolio is red... it doesn’t wreck my life.

Don't Panic, Get Prepared, Then Profit

Those 7 rules weren’t handed to me. They were hard-won through losses, lessons, and experience.

I understand that days like today are tough. But they’re not surprising. These moments hit like clockwork every few years.

So if you’re not preparing for them...

You’re just surrendering to their inevitability.

That’s why we walk through the Contrarian Investment Portfolio inside my company with every member.

Not to chase crazy returns. But to make sure people are ready for days like this.

Trade panic for patience.

We will get through this together.

Want to join a community and get coaching to prevent disasters like this and support you through the existing and future downturns?

Schedule a call with us and lets talk.