You're a cost until you become an asset

I’m often asked, how have I grown so fast in my career, both when I worked jobs and in my consulting project? It’s mainly due to a simple mindset (obviously, knowing whatever you do is a given).

Whenever I get a new job or a project, I think of myself as a cost. Whatever the company is paying me at that moment is a “cost” for them, and every few weeks or months, companies and people get triggered to re-evaluate all costs, and I’m always mindful of that. I know I’m a cost and have to move towards becoming an asset as soon as possible.

For me, the number one goal in the first 90-180 days is to produce a 2-5X value of what I’m being paid, so my salary/fees are no longer considered a cost, rather an asset or an investment that the company is making for a growing ROI.

Are you an asset or a cost today for your company?