Landlords collect rent, tenants pay it. Landlords own an asset that increases in value over time. Tenants have the freedom to move on.
If you’re building a business, it pays to own an asset. Your labor doesn’t scale well, and success can be exhausting.
It’s better to be Google than it is to be hoping for traffic from Google. And it’s better to own trust and attention than it is to have to borrow or lease it.
What do you own?
Do you own shelf space? A proprietary technology or machine? A significant reputation? A well-trafficked place online or off?
Is it possible to re-arrange your day to produce just a little more ownership each day?
If we’re busy paying rent, it’s often difficult to find the focus and resources to build an asset, and so the cycle persists.
If you’re not sure where you stand, you’re probably a tenant.
