Stock markets, like people, operate beyond our control. What is our task then?

As I’ve grown older, one truth has become crystal clear to me: Life will always test your values. Whether through the noise of social media, the churn of political decisions or the relentless pace of markets, the world rarely aligns perfectly with what we believe.

So what do we do when we can’t change the circumstances around us? We set boundaries. Not as walls of isolation, but as frameworks for protecting our well-being, preserving our integrity and providing inner peace in the midst of the chaos.

This insight is reinforced by the teachings of Alfred Adler, a pioneering psychologist and former protégé of Freud, whose ideas are brilliantly captured in The Courage to Be Disliked, a book that I highly recommend.

Adler argues that much of our suffering comes from trying to control what is not ours to control. This is a concept he calls the “separation of tasks.” Government policies, social media discourse and the opinions of strangers are not my tasks. Yet, I’ve all too often allowed them to occupy mental space and influence my mood. Recognizing what belongs to others and what belongs to me is liberating because it shifts the focus back to where I have agency: my choices, my reactions and my values.

Adler also emphasizes the courage to live authentically, even when doing so invites criticism or misunderstanding. The world will not always share my principles but that is not a failure, it is reality. The courage lies in saying, “I will act in alignment with my values, even if others disagree.” For me, this means curating my digital environment and limiting exposure to negativity. It means replacing reactive scrolling with intentional engagement and seeking communities that foster constructive dialogue rather than corrosive debate. Boundaries are not about avoidance; they are about creating space for what matters most.

Adler’s idea of community feeling reminds us that boundaries also do not sever connection; they enable healthy participation. When I allow constant exposure to conflicting values to drain me, I diminish my ability to contribute meaningfully elsewhere. By setting limits, I preserve energy for relationships and work that reflects my principles.

Freedom, Adler argues, is not doing whatever we want; it is choosing responsibility for our own life and our actions. Setting boundaries is an act of responsibility for mental health, for integrity and for living a life that reflects what we believe. I often tell my two boys that transitioning to a young man means accepting such responsibilities.

And here’s where this philosophy intersects with investing. Markets, like people, operate beyond our control. We cannot dictate interest rates, government policy or geopolitical events as these are not our tasks. What is our task then?

It is building a disciplined process, defining risk parameters and aligning portfolios with your long-term goals and values. Just as boundaries protect mental health, investment rules protect financial health and well-being.