The recent real experience is this: If you pick the right small-cap stocks, your account will really grow quickly.  
But the price you pay for this is also very direct – the volatility is ridiculously high. During several retracements, to be honest, it was quite uncomfortable. There were a few times when I really almost wanted to sell.  
Later, I gradually realized that the problem wasn't whether you caught any of the stocks that skyrocketed, but:  
Did you actually understand what the market was doing  
Could you avoid those seemingly attractive but actually deceptive targets  
When the retracements came, could you not be carried away by your emotions  
These things are actually more difficult than picking stocks themselves.  
I was basically on my own and fell into many traps before. Later, I started to review and discuss the market with others more often, and then I gradually got some sense. If you are also investing in small-cap stocks, or if you have been repeatedly educated by the market recently, you can talk about your ideas together.  
To be honest, in my previous few cases, I couldn't withstand the retracements and was washed out. I wonder if you are also like this.

Small-cap stocks can take your account on a wild ride, but they can also wake you up with a good thump.