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From time to time the thought crosses my mind, “I’ve had a few victories recently, a loss is not going to matter.” When a stakeholder complains, I think to myself, “I’ve worked really hard and done some really creative work, you need me more than I need you, why are you complaining? Don’t you appreciate what I am doing for you?”

This line of thinking does not reflect an understanding of the balance sheet approach to work outputs. I may have a lot of assets, but if I have an above than optimal set of liabilities, I will be a danger to myself and to others.

Guard against a feeling of entitlement, a sense that the world owes you something. The world appreciates the good things you do, it even appreciates your efforts, willpower, and resilience. What the world will not appreciate, and you will lose points for, is the expectation that your mistakes are excusable, and can be ignored.

Whether you do something well, or you commit a blunder, just observe them, learn from them, and move on to the next adventure.