The most important 'tool' for any contractor, in the words of Apple's Steve Jobs

As a contractor, you’ve almost ALWAYS got to deal with stress, “impossible” expectations from customers… and fear of failure.

See if this helps.

It’s from a speech to graduating students by the late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computer.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking that you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”