By Chuin Ting Weber, CFP, CFA, CAIA
CEO & Chief Investment Officer, MoneyOwl
Do you believe in US exceptionalism?
Perhaps it’s time to believe in Singapore’s exceptionalism.
Our very independence was exceptional.
That we are able to become a first world economy is exceptional.
It’s not easy to negotiate with big powers.
In my first job in defence, I supported many negotiations with various countries, including that of the US-Singapore Strategic Framework Agreement signed in 2005.
At one point, after a few years: it wasn’t going ahead.
My big boss then said, it’s okay. We did our best.
Then in a sudden serendipitous confluence of interests, there was a turnaround.
To advance and safeguard our interests, and achieve win-win, we worked 10x harder, we did things 10x smarter, we were 10x more united among agencies and held on 10x tighter.
At the happy, win-win ending, our partners said of us — Singapore, the one that punches above its weight.
I don’t know if we can negotiate successfully on tariffs. It’s a long shot.
But do we remember?
How we have punched above our weight, a small country, navigating many once-in-a-century crises?
SARS.
Terrorism.
Global Financial Crisis.
COVID. We even helped others.
Yes, we can’t go head on.
But when we’re small, and apply ourselves 10x better, we can be like water.
And beat the odds.
Listening to PM Lawrence Wong and DPM Gan Kim Yong, you know we can.
No sugar coating, no moralising, no bravado. Just a confident humility. We don’t know exactly how but we’ll figure it out. Just getting on to do that 10x better that’s needed.
And “small” people – everyday people?
Yes, we need to brace and belt in — uncertainty in the economy, prices, jobs; turmoil in markets; worries over financial plans.
The markets are the last thing you need to worry about if you’re in it for the long term.
Your nearer term worries — there are sound financial management strategies to help yourself even as the Government does its work.
I had shared some last Friday in a MoneyOwl video talk in YouTube. I’ll share a Part II this week.
You’d be surprised how those actions add up.
Evergreen principles will help us, as they have helped us through that same list:
SARS.
Terrorism.
Global Financial Crisis.
COVID.
These are brutal facts we need to confront, but we can keep the faith.
That’s the Stockdale Paradox, from a Vietnam war hero and survived a POW camp.
It’s not how much you have that makes you exceptional.
But if you can be that much more rational and disciplined, that can make you exceptionally resilient.
And beat the odds, even in our personal lives.
You don’t need to be 10x better.
Just that little bit more, to choose the right voices of cool reason to listen to.
So belt in, tighten up but don’t lose the faith.
As PM says: Do not fear. Our little red dot will continue to shine. SG⭐️
You and yours can, too. 👫👧👦❤️
