---
title: Focus on What You Can Control
description: Discover how to navigate market fluctuations by focusing on what you can control, from investment strategies to aligning goals with your financial future.
image: https://nautilus.net.nz/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Picture.jpg
---

[![Nautilus\_logo\_transparent](https://nautilus.net.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/EP%20Website%20Implementation/Nautilus_logo_transparent.png?width=189&height=45&name=Nautilus_logo_transparent.png "Nautilus_logo_transparent")](https://nautilus.net.nz/)

- [How we help](https://nautilus.net.nz/how-we-help) 
    - [Your Business](https://nautilus.net.nz/what-we-do-for-businesses)
    - [Your Life](https://nautilus.net.nz/what-we-do-for-individuals)
- [About us](https://nautilus.net.nz/about-us-purpose) 
    - [Purpose](https://nautilus.net.nz/about-us-purpose)
    - [Team](https://nautilus.net.nz/about-us-team)
    - [Disclosure](https://nautilus.net.nz/disclosure)
- [Resources](https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog) 
    - [Blog](https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog)
    - [Ask an Adviser](https://nautilus.net.nz/ask-and-advisers)
- [Get in touch](https://nautilus.net.nz/contact-us) 
    - [Contact Us](https://nautilus.net.nz/contact-us)
    - [Book a Consultation](https://nautilus.net.nz/meetings/cam-inskeep/introductory-meeting)

- [How we help](https://nautilus.net.nz/how-we-help) 
    - [Your Business](https://nautilus.net.nz/what-we-do-for-businesses)
    - [Your Life](https://nautilus.net.nz/what-we-do-for-individuals)
- [About us](https://nautilus.net.nz/about-us-purpose) 
    - [Purpose](https://nautilus.net.nz/about-us-purpose)
    - [Team](https://nautilus.net.nz/about-us-team)
    - [Disclosure](https://nautilus.net.nz/disclosure)
- [Resources](https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog) 
    - [Blog](https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog)
    - [Ask an Adviser](https://nautilus.net.nz/ask-and-advisers)
- [Get in touch](https://nautilus.net.nz/contact-us) 
    - [Contact Us](https://nautilus.net.nz/contact-us)
    - [Book a Consultation](https://nautilus.net.nz/meetings/cam-inskeep/introductory-meeting)

 10 November 2026

# Focus on What You Can Control

[Investment](https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog/tag/investment)

[Timeless](https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog/tag/timeless)

### Navigate Market Ups and Downs with Confidence

[![Seeing your investment balance fall can be unsettling, especially when it represents years of saving or money set aside for important life goals. It’s natural to feel uncertain when markets fluctuate, but understanding what drives these feelings can help you approach investment decisions with greater perspective. ](https://nautilus.net.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/2.%20Blog/2026/10%20-%20Focus%20on%20what%20you%20can%20control/Blog%20Post%20Picture.jpg?width=677&height=350&name=Blog%20Post%20Picture.jpg)](https://nautilus.net.nz/)

*You can't control what markets do, but you can make considered decisions about how you invest, the level or return and risk, and how your investments fit into your life.* 

Why do market movements feel so personal?

Seeing your investment balance fall can be unsettling, especially when it represents years of saving or money set aside for important life goals. It’s natural to feel uncertain when markets fluctuate, but understanding what drives these feelings can help you approach investment decisions with greater perspective. 

What can you control about your investments?

While you can’t control market movements, you can make informed decisions about your financial goals, investment strategy, and diversification. Choosing an approach that reflects your personal circumstances can help you stay focused on what matters rather than reacting to every market change. 

How much investment risk fits your life?

Investment returns and risk go hand-in-hand. The level of investment returns and risk that suit you depends on your financial goals, how long you plan to invest, and your ability to 'ride out' potential losses in the short term. It’s also important to consider when you might need access to your money, as funds required in the near future usually require a different approach from those invested for longer-term goals. 

Could checking your balance less often help?

 Checking your investments frequently can make short-term market movements feel more significant and may lead to decisions driven by emotion rather than your long-term goals. Taking a step back can help you maintain perspective, although it’s important to remember that markets can fall for extended periods and investing always carries the risk of loss. 

When should you review your investment plan?

 Changes in your income, family circumstances, financial goals, or the timeframe for accessing your money may be good reasons to review your investment plan. By contrast, reacting impulsively to market headlines can lead to decisions that don’t align with your broader financial objectives. 

One practical step you can take today

 Take a moment to reflect on why you’re investing, when you might need the money, and whether your current strategy still fits your goals and circumstances. If you’re unsure, speaking with a qualified investment adviser may help you understand your options and decide whether any changes are appropriate. 

 

###### New to Nautilus? [![\<p\>Book a&nbsp;Consultation\</p\>](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/4798352/interactive-190060539266.png)](https://nautilus.net.nz/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKX%2FZvBkNeewQGolWlg6MhGMEVPk2BGTUFmn5CvUPSMkaoN3y74xmsQR58GHo6DDe3aBJ6Ikjlah2C8pXLl1h01dSptaP9ZmAszfaBMDXrjvVWPjAzYKqeYgH1xisyPxWp8Vu8QECOYgjU%2FD5pjB67usCP8aUk6PgabNiIH2j39v1sR%2FgYR8vs%2Bh3biFMXagOMrQH7jdrtvpmJJewwClgMtnFPBobhHAVaAhkcjBvoIfCHVB917yg%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=190060539266&portalId=4798352)

###### Already a client? [![\<p\>Book a Review\</p\>](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/4798352/interactive-313907814862.png)](https://nautilus.net.nz/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIt1GahCAtM10Bj0%2FaSiwkBKQJxokFmrGGYEuBlbh17cUJJJ4CbNupc%2FuqHK3tCWSm%2BTW74tLsn2YS49bqem7iADSOoYNYpxAcCTkHdyz7WonGiQnmDgSbM4Zsds7WdX6nkHHmhglcaIVjR6Gr%2B1vG6TMSre45vhoXhNhch2Ekkm8%2FUeY1G1zp05HSR4f7AxQnPSeRI9ImOuXRuD3cv6MNRpJod8k5IUHFsdL869QQV&webInteractiveContentId=313907814862&portalId=4798352)

General information only, not financial advice. No liability accepted for errors or reliance. If needed, seek professional advice.  
© Nautilus Advisers Ltd. All rights reserved. 

 Share Article

[Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog/focus-on-what-you-can-control) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog/focus-on-what-you-can-control) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog/focus-on-what-you-can-control)

[![Nautilus Advisers](https://nautilus.net.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Nautilus_logo_black%201.png?width=200&height=41&name=Nautilus_logo_black%201.png "Nautilus Advisers")](https://nautilus.net.nz/)

[![Trusted Adviser - Financial Advice New Zealand](https://nautilus.net.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Money-Matters-Trusted-Adviser.png?width=189&height=56&name=Money-Matters-Trusted-Adviser.png "Trusted Adviser - Financial Advice New Zealand")](https://financialadvice.nz/)

#### Contact Details:

General: +64 (0)9 888 4555  
Support: +64 (0)9 884 8664 

Solutions House  
1 Orbit Drive, Rosedale  
Auckland 0632

[Get in touch](https://nautilus.net.nz/contact-us)

Copyright © 2025 Nautilus Advisors | [Privacy Statement](https://nautilus.net.nz/privacy-statement)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Nautilus Advisers",
    "url" : "https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog/author/nautilus-advisers"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-11-10T11:00:00.326Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-11-10T11:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Focus on What You Can Control",
  "image" : [ "https://nautilus.net.nz/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Picture.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://nautilus.net.nz/nautilus-blog/focus-on-what-you-can-control",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://nautilus.net.nz/hubfs/Nautilus_Advisers_logo.png"
    },
    "name" : "Nautilus Advisers"
  }
}
```