Lesson Learned: Ignoring macro for micro-caps cost me big

Biggest mistake was getting too focused on individual micro-cap narratives ($XYZ, $ABC) while completely ignoring the broader market sentiment and macro headwinds. Thought I was being clever finding 'diamonds in the rough,' but when the tide went out, everything got flushed, and my conviction in those small names just amplified the losses. Should have recognized the shifting landscape and positioned defensively, not offensively, regardless of how good the individual stories seemed.