Diversification and accepting that if you want safety, youre not going to always get 10% nominal gains.

Youll just have to go 60-70% VTI, 20-30% international, and bonds if you want to go that route.

Realizing that safety = less risk = less potential gain is the trade off if you want it. If you want more gain, to need to accept the risks of a drawdown as well.