A Smart Risk-Taker is Always Building Assets

Fellow Riskologist,

The other day, I was in the middle of a small negotiation with a friend whose business I’m going to help for at least the next six months.

It’s exciting work that’s right up my alley, but as we went over the terms of our agreement, something was leaving me just a little uneasy.

At first, I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. But after thinking it over awhile, I realized what was causing it: I wasn’t building equity in the project. I wasn’t creating an asset that I would own.

In the last three years of working full-time for myself, I’ve realized something important about what drives and motivates me in my work, and it’s the feeling that I’m building something for my (and potentially others’) future. I love the feeling I get knowing effort I put in now will pay off in big ways later.

Ownership is important to me, and I’ve learned I have a hard time staying on task if I don’t feel like I own what I’m doing. This is why I made a horrible employee when I tried that route.

So, my friend and I are now working on a new agreement that’ll satisfy the both of us and, just like that, I’m excited and motivated. Ta da!

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