Care and maintenance
You’re going to need a sizable crew for that one. (Image by Rolf Johansson)
A friend is starring in a play that relates to a controversial issue.
So controversial that the actors in the play are fearful for their safety. They’re asking for security measures to be put in place to ensure that they are not risking their lives by getting onstage.
The producers of the play are wringing their hands. Apparently, they can’t afford the cost of the increased security.
That means that the theater is willing to gamble on people’s lives in order to save a buck. That’s not what they intended, but that’s the outcome. And the actors are terrified.
Nobody feels sorry for the boss in this type of situation, and they shouldn’t. The truth is that if you cannot afford to invest in keeping your cast safe, you cannot afford to put on this type of production.
It is easy to look at the superficial cost of something and conclude that it is doable. This sailboat is such a bargain! This puppy is so cute! It’s time to hire my first employee!
But there are additional costs — care and feeding, repairs and maintenance — that need to be included before making a commitment.
The sailboat may be affordable on its own, but what about mooring, hauling, and winter storage?
The puppy may be irresistible, but can you pay for all of his food, vet bills, and boarding whenever you travel?
And the employee will require benefits and perks, along with training and guidance...and someday, perhaps, severance.
If you can’t afford these expenses on top of the base expenses, it might be better to enjoy someone else’s boat, play with someone else’s puppy, and hire a contractor instead of an employee.
Not all of these additional costs are monetary. If you learn to play the guitar, you’ll also need to learn to tune the thing and change its strings. Cast iron skillets must be seasoned every so often.
Relationships require upkeep, too.
When you anticipate and accept these hidden requirements of ownership or participation, you won’t be caught off guard and you won’t resent them. You might even embrace them, as a dedicated mother lovingly turns a routine diaper change into an opportunity for fun and connection.
But if you ignored the implications of your choice, you are in for a struggle. You’ll be surprised and inconvenienced by the complications that come up. And if you try to skimp or get around the reality of what you signed up for, reality will bite you.
The theater leaders who are hedging their bets are going to lose. Just as I failed to predict that signing a triple-net commercial lease would leave me on the hook for $9,000 to replace the HVAC system one day, they have failed to see the gift that they would be giving to their cast and their audience by doing everything possible to guarantee their well being. In each case, the price must be paid. We are better off paying it well before we have a crisis on our hands that we truly can’t afford.
