Owners have more self-respect than renters.​

No, I’m not talking about home owners and renters. I’m talking about owning versus renting in every other aspect of your life. But for the sake of argument, here’s a story about a roommate and my first apartment:

I’ve always been of the belief that you should treat your home as if you do own it, even if you don’t. It shows self-respect, discipline, and is a direct reflection of you and your personal pride. When someone shows up to your home, you want them to see it positively as a reflection of your efforts. It’s the same with your words, actions, and how much effort you put into your desired outcomes.

I once had a roommate who, unfortunately, didn’t take pride in the home. For him, cleaning was like pulling teeth. I remember a time when he’d burned part of the Formica countertop, and when asked why he didn’t try to fix it, he replied, “It’s not my place, I don’t care.” That stuck with me. I noticed this wasn’t just a reflection of how he took care of his home, but it was a direct reflection of how he lived his life. In life, he was a renter.

Do you own up to your mistakes? Do you own your work ethic? Do you own your outlook on adverse situations? Simply put, can you stand by these things and give an honest answer that they’re something you’re proud of? If the answer isn’t a resounding “yes,” guess what, you’re renting.

Being an owner not only means being confident in your skills and abilities, but it also means that you’re not afraid to admit when you’ve screwed up. Being an owner isn’t simply saying you gave it your best, it’s knowing deep down in every fiber of your being that you actually gave it your best. You can’t lie to yourself, because you’re also the one who knows the truth. So being an owner means doing everything you can to be proud of that truth.

Be an owner.

Take an inventory of things you own and things you rent. Make two lists, side-by-side. This will help you identify weak points and you can then make a plan to work on turning those things you rent into things you own. But it starts with owning the list.

Think you can do it?