Stop diversifying

Aug 30th 2024. By Carlos G.

There are two types of people in this world: 1) Those who attribute every catchy phrase to Mr. Albert Einstein, and 2) Those who live by the mantra: “Don’t put all the eggs in the same basket”.

Wait, now that I think about it, maybe there is just one type of people. Because I’m sure only Albert could have come up with the Egg-Basket idea. Wow, life is indeed a box of chocolates!

Anyhow, my goal today is not to recruit you into the Einstein-said-it-first Team (which I’m unequivocally part of), but to make you feel better if you decide to stop moving eggs into different baskets.

Diversification

To the credit of those who unquestionably believe in the predictive powers of standard deviation, I will say it right away: diversification is great…if you are a 22-year-old, single, university student. Yes, go for it, diversify, try different foods, take the Phoenician pottery class, travel to Oaxaca, Tinder your way into unconsciousness, but then Stop.

There is a hidden danger in the implied optionality behind diversification. It is hard to admit, because it is deeply embedded below many layers of scientific rationalizations. Imagine this optionality like an onion you can peel, so at first, you will see it has a little bit of laziness followed by some lack of commitment, and then it will ultimately shatter when you realize there is an absolute absence of courage.

Courage

The act of consciously observing your situation, the decision not to yield to self-acceptance and the physical act of moving towards what you know can be improved. I guess that can be a good recipe to develop courage.

If you get the previous steps kind of right, you will see that the first place in which you can apply this newfound strength is in your relationships. Never, ever diversify on family or friends. If anyone falls in either one of these categories you stick to them, hell or high water.

Stop diversifying as a way of living.

It is not easy. Having focus and courage does not mean you have to stop being curious. Have the courage to believe in something, be relentless when deciding to build what you know will be beneficial for those around you, but also know that you definitely have blind spots.

And above all, as Albert Einstein said, “Stay hungry, stay foolish”.