The economic events of the past few weeks have centered around tariffs, and there is talk of a recession and its impact on investment returns. There is more talk of short-term pain for long-term gain. Getting an accurate prediction of what will happen is, we believe, a futile exercise. There are four themes we believe can help one navigate and emerge successfully from an economic downturn.

Last May, we posted an article here entitled Five Ways to Get Ready for the Next Great Recession. Here we are. As fast as it takes to turn off a light, our robust economy has come to a screeching halt. This may or may not be the next Big One. We may have a V-shaped recovery, or this may turn into a depression. Time will tell. Over the last several weeks, there have been many anxious reactions to this crisis. You may have asked some of these questions:

In 1973, Six Flags Over Georgia introduced the Great American Scream Machine, which was, at the time, the largest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Riders were ratcheted to the top of a hill, dropped to the earth below, and then, just when they thought the worst was over, dropped again. Within just a few minutes, the ride was over, and victims were back where they started, with windblown hair, abdominal discomfort, a story to tell, and sometimes a commitment never to do something like that again. This classic roller coaster is still at Six Flags, dwarfed by several other taller and faster coasters.