On dealing with loss
Mar 04
The reasons for the business failing are long and this is perhaps not the best place to carry out a post-mortem. Suffice to say that the bank involved in this business has not covered themselves in glory – and I would never work with them again.
The fact is that I did get very upset about this loss as this was a business I was very close to. It reminds you that when you invest and support the right business it is more than just money. You get your buzz out of seeing your role in making something happen.
One of the reasons we are told competitive sport is good for us is that it teaches us how to lose gracefully. Well I confess to never having learnt that lesson. I am a very bad loser and I can live with that. With age and experience you do learn that many things do not plan out as you would like them to. But it does not make it any easier to deal with things. I am still a bad loser.
The only thing that really matters is what you can learn from these experiences. During this recession, sadly many of us will lose businesses or investments that are very important to us. The only consolation you can get for this loss is if you do feel you gave it your very best. I did work with some of the management team of Amano to try and buy the business back – we came very close but we did not succeed. We were all comforted by the fact that we did do our very best – and could not have done more.
Finally, I hope you do not mind me quoting a prayer (despite my atheist views)
“Grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot and the wisdom to know the difference”
Hi and welcome to my blog. 