On another fishing trip with my son-in-law, Clint, he stopped along the riverbank and said:
“Ah—here’s a place of high risk and high reward.”
I remembered the first time he said that.
I asked, “Why is that?”
He pointed to the tangle of branches and sticks jutting out from the water.
“This is where the big ones hide,” he said. “But it’s tricky. One wrong move and you’ll snag your line, maybe lose your lure. But if you’re careful—and a little lucky—you’ll get your best catch right here.”
That moment stuck with me.
Because it’s not just fishing.
That’s life. That’s business.
And it’s a perfect metaphor for Kai-Zen.
Kai-Zen is a strategy built for people who understand that real opportunity often lives where others hesitate.
Yes—there’s complexity.
Yes—it involves leverage.
Yes—it’s different than the “safe and simple” path.
But done right, with the right structure, the right partners, and the right strategy—it’s where the biggest results often live.
More protection.
More retirement income.
More legacy—without taking on unnecessary risk.
Not everyone is ready to fish those waters.
But those who are? They know what’s possible.
Where in your life or business have you found the biggest reward right next to the biggest risk?
I’d love to hear your story.
Jim Barlow, MS, The Alchemist of Leverage
OakTree Strategic Leverage -Smarter Leverage. Greater Outcomes.
A Legacy Business- sharing wisdom, helping others, staying sharp.
#KaiZenStrategy #FinancialWisdom #Leadership #SmartLeverage #RiskAndReward #LifeLessons #BusinessStrategy #LegacyPlanning #TheAlchemistOfLeverage