Today, I'll like to touch a thing or two about the subject "risk". I'm sure there are times where you answered life-changing questions. But before going into what risk is really about, let's look at Monopoly and how we evolved playing that game.
Monopoly Board Game
I'm sure you have at least played the game once in your life or rather heard about that game. It is basically a game design for children age 7 and above. And it enforces the learning curve on money management, risk management, real estate sales and a little bit of banking (mortgages and loans).
People who are good in games like that are usually experts in this few areas and not merely luck by the rolled dice.
I mean, if you look at it critically, do you risk gambling your remaining money on an expensive, you-think-is-an-opportunity property hoping that maybe, your friends might fall into it later on? Or do you save keep your remaining cash for bad times or bad luck? All this decision making process come into play and it reflects your judgment with money and risk taking.
Maybe you might question the credibility of the board game having govern by a fix set of rules but really, look at what other people are saying about property - "property is a good investment", "values goes up later" and etc. There isn't the slightest hint or consideration that people might not arrive or purchase your property, despite the quality of the land and the location. Frankly, business in real estate is extremely similar to the rolled dice effect of Monopoly.
Rather than to just consider the product quality, consider the contact point, conveniences and chances of a consumers arrival at the location itself. Now a days, knowing it's not enough. Monopoly instills that mindset to you indirectly. The chances of the rolled dice.
Apart from that, it also enforces money management. It teaches you to evaluate your buying power and not just the opportunity. There are people in life that are so blinded by the opportunity, they literally forgotten that they lack the money and the soft skills needed to maintain their property/product, hence the sales and marketing involving in pushing the property.
Really, what I'm trying to say is, Monopoly, can potentially change your perception towards life and business. It teaches you to look at things openly and teaches you to create opportunity for others rather than yourself per se.
Risk
Now that you have a clear picture of what I'm thinking, Monopoly, we can talk about risk.
Really, there are several ways of looking at risk. Some of you might consider it stupid, an opportunity or rather a mindset in you.
To me, risk is all about chances and it's all about going against the norm. Ultimately, risk is something ridiculous that someone propose to you or something that everyone disagrees with you and you do it anyway. Don't say no one tell you or at least influence you, I'm sure you talk about your risk before taking them.
But the real question is, how do we manage risk and make the good decisions? That my friend, is learned through experience. And one of them is Monopoly. I'm also suggesting that you spend more time learning rather than to jump into an ocean that you "think" you a lot about before making drastic changes in your life. You must look at situations beyond your common sensory, especially the eyes and the ears.
Seriously, I don't mean to brag or anything but I'm quite good at Monopoly. To a point my cousins says "I'm worried about him loosing cause he seldom or never lost before this, he might not understanding the emotion of loosing".
So my final message for you, think before you do anything, think. The opportunity is there but don't get blinded by the upfront success you see on others.
I can't get enough of Starbucks Coffee.Signing off,
Darren
