Shelter First

It takes time to build most things of significance. Especially if the thing you are building is intended to last. Creative Destruction is most unforgiving of those who are trying without deep roots. If your primary tool of merit is “trying” combined with “skills and knowledge”, the brutal forces of randomness and ambiguity will laugh you off. Context matters. Protection from the elements matters. Building anything of significance requires investment in the period over which you are judged. The harsh truth is that noise (luck and misfortune) probably means our lives are too short a time over which to judge. Wealth is built across generations. 10-15 years is the shortest investment period over which compounding can just be starting to take effect. Most businesses will fail in the first 10 years. If you can generate 5% real (after inflation) return for 15 years for a relatively stable stream of contributions, and can keep that average return up, you can build an Engine that can sustainably carry on paying an equivalent stream. 50% (invest half) for 15 years (time) at 5% (genuine creativity) touches on sustainability. Capital supports sustainability. That is a big ask when you are fighting the wind, rain, and sickness. First, find shelter.