What’s the Most Valuable Thing I Own?

As an investor, I own businesses. I invest in companies because I love building things. I love solving complex problems, meeting interesting people, and uncovering new opportunities. And of course, I do it because the financial upside is compelling.

But beyond the balance sheets and strategy decks, there’s a deeper reason why I take ownership seriously: because ownership isn’t just about assets—it’s about responsibility.

I believe in long-term ownership because of the power of compounding. Whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, consistent investment over time leads to outsized returns. That means I don’t just acquire businesses—I take responsibility for maintaining, improving, and evolving them. Because real ownership isn’t just about possession, it’s about stewardship.

And yet, I’ve come to realize that the most valuable thing I own isn’t a company, a deal, or a hard asset. It’s something intangible, but far more powerful.

The Power of Owning Your Mindset

In small business, difficult situations are inevitable. People make mistakes. Employees quit unexpectedly. Clients break contracts. Market conditions change overnight. These moments test your mindset—and the difference between reacting emotionally or responding productively often determines long-term success.

I’ve learned that the story you tell yourself in difficult situations matters more than the situation itself.

• A victim mindset blames external factors: “This isn’t fair. Why does this always happen to me?”

• An ownership mindset takes control: “This happened. What can I do about it?”

Consider two ways to approach the same conversation:

❌ “Why are you trying to take advantage of me? Don’t you want me to succeed?” → This makes the other person defensive, escalating the situation.

✅ “I feel that this proposal doesn’t reflect the full value I bring. I know you want this to work, so how can we find a solution that aligns with both of our needs?” → This shifts the focus to problem-solving instead of blame.

By simply owning emotions instead of assigning blame, conversations become more productive, relationships strengthen, and better outcomes emerge.

Extreme Ownership in Business

In my world, good things happen. But bad things happen too—employees can steal, deals can fall apart, external forces can disrupt even the best-laid plans. And when they do, I remind myself:

The most valuable thing I own is my mindset.

As former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink puts it, “Leaders must own everything in their world. There is no one else to blame.” That’s the foundation of extreme ownership—the idea that success isn’t about what happens to you, but how you respond.

Once you take full responsibility for your actions, decisions, and mindset, you unlock the ability to create change. And in business, that’s the most valuable asset of all.