Based on this real problem, outline your current actions and next steps.

What should you consider before any capital goes in?

First, figure out how you'll exit.

An exit is who takes your position and from whom you pocket your profit. If that isn't clear, you can't put money in.

Many things cut both ways. The more people butter you up, the bolder you get, and before long you cross a line—then overnight everyone who praised you will turn on you, and you won’t even have a chance to backpedal.

Only a father and son dare speak such unwelcome truths to each other. Outsiders are there to pile on when you’re down or pour salt on your wounds—very few actually have your best interests at heart.

So give others face, but don’t go around seeking it for yourself.

The capital markets are the first to know, then it filters down layer by layer — and the media are usually the last to catch on. That's why what we call news is already old news, and the people consuming media coverage are at the very back of the line.

The root of suffering is simple: you pin most of your hopes on other people, and others are beyond your control.

What we need is to solve problems, not cover them up. What we need is to improve our success rate, not for everyone to hug and cry in emotional solidarity.

Reading Notes

Making excuses is useless. When problems arise, the priority isn't pointing fingers—first solve the problem, then develop a plan to prevent it from happening again, and only then assign accountability.

How do you grow without stumbling along the way? By sidestepping every trap, you’ve also stepped away from growth itself.