Time to follow a detour?
By Mark Zembo, Wealth Management Advisor
Wealth Management Advisor Mark Zembo
But what happens when it doesn’t?
What happens when a good habit or routine is disrupted by forces outside our control? When an unplanned event forces us to find a new route—literally or figuratively—to get to the same place? It can feel inconvenient, even frustrating. Take my drive to the ballfield, for example. If a road is closed and I’m forced to take a detour, I might end up stuck in slow-moving traffic and arrive late. My day is thrown off, and my mood with it.
But then, there’s another day. I have a choice of routes—one familiar, one unexpected. What if, without all the traffic, that detour actually saves time? What if I arrive sooner, more relaxed, and even enjoy the scenery a bit more? What if a disruption turns out to be an improvement in disguise?
Here’s a real-world example. I live in Delaware County, Ohio, an area experiencing rapid growth as Big Tech invests in new office and manufacturing facilities—semiconductor plants, for instance. Many employees relocating from West Coast cities are buying homes located over 90 minutes from their new offices. When asked about the long commute, the new residents often say they’re happier navigating the new route because the drive takes them through open country on roads with minimal congestion. They still reach the same destination, their workplace, but the experience of getting there is entirely different, and for many, far better.
So yes, this is about perspective—but it’s also about something deeper, and we can respond in one of two ways.
It’s natural to feel disoriented, irritated or even a little anxious when life doesn’t go according to plan. However, if those emotions go unchecked, they can quietly chip away at our confidence and lead to reactive decisions. We may fixate on the disruption instead of stepping back to see the bigger picture and making purposeful and advantageous adjustments. Over time, that emotional drag can pull us away from the very outcomes we’ve worked hard to achieve, including any enjoyment in the process of getting there. The question then becomes: When the path changes, do we lock ourselves in a downward spiral of dispiriting frustration, or do we choose to follow the unplanned detour with curiosity, like my new neighbors, only to discover it shows us an equally workable and, on occasion, more satisfying journey to our destination?
And what does this have to do with financial planning and investing? Everything.
At Elevage Partners, our work isn’t just about mapping your financial journey and managing the investments that support it. It’s also about helping you navigate the unexpected with a clear head and steady hand. Detours are part of life—whether they come from market shifts, life changes or new opportunities. When they do, we’re here to help you stay oriented and aligned with what matters most.
If you’ve followed our chief investment officer’s blog posts, you’ve likely heard the phrase: “re-evaluate, but stay the course.” That’s more than a mantra. It reflects the disciplined approach rooted in our investment philosophy and our commitment to investing for Your WHY™.
Your WHY gives direction, even when the scenery changes. It’s the deeper reason behind your goals—and those goals become the guideposts we use to chart your financial path. Our role is to keep those guideposts in focus, thoughtfully adjust the course (of your portfolio) when needed, and ensure you move forward with clarity and confidence, even when the road ahead looks different from what you imagined.
Ultimately, the lesson I’ve learned is that detours may change the route, but they don’t have to spoil the day or prevent you from reaching your destination. In fact, I expect to smile when I see the next detour sign as I wonder, what opportunity will it reveal?
The information contained herein represents the views of Elevage Partners at a specific point in time and is based on information believed to be reliable. No representation or warranty is made concerning the accuracy of any data compiled herein In addition, there can be no guarantee that any projection, forecast, or opinion in these materials will be realized. Any statement non-factual in nature constitutes only current opinion which is subject to change. These materials are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any reference to a security listed herein does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold such security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The historical returns of any securities and/or sectors mentioned in this commentary are not necessarily indicative of their future performance.