It’s easier to take risks when you have nothing to lose.
Seneca, the Roman philosopher, was a big fan of this sort of thinking. Like other stoics, he said you shouldn’t worry about stuff you can’t control. Extended, this means only caring about things no one can take away from you.
Jesus offered the same philosophy on the subject: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.” In other words, let it go.
It’s like when you read autobiographies by soldiers or POWs. They often say that in battle or in prison camps you have to assume you’re already dead. That’s the only way you can move forward. Hope can be a liability.
Same thing with negotiations, right? The one who cares less wins more.
When you’re not worried about stuff, you’re much more willing to take risks. So, if you’re into taking risks (or want to be), don’t accumulate stuff you can lose. It’s just practical. Eliminate the downside risk, and any upside looks fantastic.
