*Parable of Drowning Ship* A merchant owned a ship that sprang a small leak. The repair would cost him a month's profit. "I'll fix it next quarter," he decided, taking on more cargo instead. The leak grew. Now repairs would cost six months' profit. "I'll fix it next year," he reasoned, taking even more cargo to make up for the lost speed. By year's end, the ship could barely stay afloat. Repairs would cost everything he had. "I can't afford to stop now," he thought, mortgaging his home to add yet more cargo. The ship sank. Standing on the shore, a wise trader told him: "The best time to fix a problem is when you first realize it's bad. The second best time is now." *I am Albert | @prof_kalbert* *Instagram.com/prof_kalbert* Credits: Edward Asare.