And I have become quite good at it.
When something goes wrong, I can usually see a way forward. I can work hard, solve problems, generate income and build things up again.
I have long regarded this as one of my strengths.
And it is.
But a while ago, someone asked me a question that stayed with me:
What if you become so good at surviving that you never really learn to build for the long term?
There is a particular energy in having to rescue something.
The problem is obvious. The goal is clear. There is no room for hesitation. You simply do what needs to be done.
Building for the long term is different.
It can be slow, even boring. You have to keep going when nothing is on fire. Protect what has already been built. Accumulate instead of always starting over.
Perhaps our strengths can sometimes keep us stuck just as much as our weaknesses.
At any rate, I have started asking myself a different question:
Am I building something that lasts, or am I once again showing myself how good I am at getting through?