We’ve all heard the familiar colloquialisms of stock market investing: “Buy low, sell high,” “Buy the dip,” and “Be greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are greedy.”

So why do so many investors fail to follow these credos?

Quite simply, it’s because human behavior gets in the way.

Many investors see a spike in volatility, a corresponding drop in the stock market, and tend to panic.

Other investors, however, view these market fluctuations as an opportunity to get into solid investments at lower prices than can otherwise be obtained in a bull market. These investors focus on purchasing investments with solid fundamentals for their potential long-term appreciation and as a complement to their long-term portfolio.

The market has historically shown many potential opportunities when volatility spikes to “buy low” with the hope of “selling high.”

This is most evident during a market correction. Even if companies are posting solid results, market sell-offs can and do happen. This is largely due to emotional behavior, not to mention that today’s mainstream, one-click “sell” algorithms have made it easier for investors to quickly respond to market volatility.

Even seasoned investors may have become complacent recently in light of the fact that we are in the second longest bull market in history.

Let’s assume that your investment objective is Moderate Growth & Income, and you began with a portfolio of 60 percent stock and 40 percent bonds five years ago.

If you didn’t rebalance your portfolio along the way, your portfolio is now 74 percent stock and 26 percent bonds and you align with an investment objective of Aggressive Growth & Income.

This means that in times of volatility, you’re likely to experience more fluctuation in your portfolio value than you originally intended. At a minimum, the recent volatility should be a reminder that your portfolio does need to be rebalanced and constantly monitored to stay in line with your objectives and risk tolerances.

The bottom line is that volatility is part of investing. It can make for a wild ride at times, but it can also bring potential opportunities.

In any case, it should serve as a reminder to investors to re-evaluate your risk tolerance and to ensure that your asset allocation is in line with your long-term expectations of what market fluctuations can do to your portfolio.

As stated by Francois Rochon, president of Giverny Capital, “Volatility is not synonymous of risk, but for those who truly understand it, of wealth.”

There is current potential to take advantage of the opportunities the market is giving you. Volatility can be your friend — don’t treat it like your enemy. Use it to your advantage.

Wendy Bennett is a senior financial adviser in Butler.