This mantra about not being able to time the market may be generally true, but it is wrong in my case, because I am more conservative/paranoid/chicken than others who have had success in the markets. I did miss some gain in this run-up, but have already almost made it up on sporadic trades with only a relatively small trading allocation.
Previous year’s events have been more difficult to see, meaning that I stayed in longer, closer to the event, and therefore missed out on less of the run-up gain.
If you pay attention, are not greedy, and plan, you can time the biggest market moves—easily, IMO.
Greed and associated gullibility, combined with arrogance, are the killers.
Also, luck doesn’t hurt. I have had some myself, I don’t know or control everything, or even that much.
Markets opening!