I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am to you for reading these words, right here, right now. The human desire to be understood is a powerful one.

The first article I remember reading in my first psychology class was a piece on “ontological insecurity.” I don’t remember the author or the name of the piece, but they are both very famous. He describes people suffering from the feeling that every conflict, every argument is an affront to their very existence. People, somewhere deep down inside, harbor a fear that they do not exist.

If imaginary fears can cause real reactions, what human terrors are capable of being produced by this insecurity? What triumphs?

In business, we are accustomed to this feeling because manifesting reality is our job. Business without risk is only management. Risk without belief is futility. Belief without faith is insincere, and faith without intimacy is impossible.

The businessperson who will not take ownership of his/her project is not incapable of success, but their reality will cease to exist when confronted with a more powerful one. Think of the ontological security it took for Mark Zuckerberg to say no to the first billion dollars he was offered for Facebook.

Some time ago I saw a documentary about young female boxers. One boxer was talking about how she gives her entire life to boxing, and she expects the same from her opponent. Thus when one boxer defeats the other, she destroys not only her winning record, but her entire identity.

So then I ask myself if I am willing to put my entire identity in the ring. To believe I am capable of something and risk everything to prove it.

There are some days that are easier than others, but I thank you for sharing this moment with me.