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September 28, 2017
Oaktown and Risk Aversion
One of the greatest flaws in us is our inherent aversion to risk.
It's demonstrable that most people would do better financially if they accepted more risk. This has been widely studied and well documented. We learned this in psychology, as I recall.
And, in our careers, this flaw manifests itself in people who are afraid to take risks with their careers. Even though, it's intuitively obvious to the casual observer that people would do better by accepting some risk to change jobs, try to get a promotion, move to another city, etc.
Now, I'm sort of on the other side of that equation. I've made a career out of taking risks. And, at the time, it's very scary. It doesn't feel good. You're not warm and comfortable and secure. Instead, you're scared, exposed, and afraid. So it is when you get let go. It never feels good. But it's the nature of the beast.
So, it's hard to take risks, but then, when you succeed, it's still hard. Because, eventually, the project ends. And now, this is one of the hardest parts. Now, you've got to go and do all of the things you promised yourself you would do while you were working. So, for all of those nights you slaved away on the computer, now you're suddenly let free, like a canary from it's cage. And now, you've got to go and live your life.
The project was just an interruption. A distraction. A means to justify an end. Now, you've got to get on the road. Now, you've got to reach down and grab your kahunas and drive across the globe, like you promised everyone you would do.
Like...all summer, we gorged ourselves on strawberries and Lagomarsino Grapes from California. Gilroy strawberries from the Central Valley. Coffee from Tierra Mia. Poke from the Poke Zone.
And now, it's time to move on. To go on to another adventure. And this is one of the hardest parts. Now, it's time to put up or shut up. Because now, if you don't go and do what you bragged about all summer long, then you're nothing short of a liar.
Posted by Rob Kiser on September 28, 2017 at 11:37 AM
Comments
Not at all a prevaricator, but a dreamer and a planner premier. Go get 'em Rob and tell us about it everyday and send pictures especially of the people. xoxoxoxo
Posted by: sl on September 29, 2017 at 11:45 AM