As kids, we might have spent hours trying to master a yo-yo. As adults, the ups and downs that command our attention—an unsettling headline followed by a reassuring one—are less entertaining. The hard part is resisting the urge to react to every bounce.

In the days after the election, there's plenty to digest. At the same time, reports show that Americans still have mixed feelings about the job outlook and economy. Against that backdrop, this week's articles offer an important distinction: reacting to uncertainty is not the same as preparing for it.

A good starting point is your own life. How secure does your income feel? How might your work be changing? When will you need money for the milestones ahead? Those questions can help separate a passing impulse from a decision grounded in your circumstances. Let's talk about it if you have concerns.

And if your open enrollment period closes this week, remember to review your benefits and make your selections before the deadline.

We can’t stop the yo-yo, but we can stay connected to the string: the priorities and longer-term goals that give our decisions perspective.

Paul Celentano and the staff of Objective Wealth Management