After some time away, I’m excited to be returning to a 9-to-5 job in the finance industry. However, this isn’t a return to the front office grind. I’ve intentionally chosen a role that prioritizes balance, offering a structured environment, a more predictable schedule, and the flexibility to manage my work and hours. It’s a refreshing change to join a company that treats its employees like adults, respecting boundaries and empowering us to do our best work. Time will tell how true this sentiment is in reality, but from conversations with the existing team and long-tenure of most members, it seems promising.

That said, old habits die hard¹ and I can often be my worst enemy. So, a week before returning to work, I spent time at a local cafe to write down a list of commandments to myself, with the intention of utilizing them to stay on track with my current priorities and life goals. I hope you find some that resonate with you.

_{NTR: the below is intentionally written in the 2nd person POV}

1. Remember life happens between your shift and that’s the point.
2. Don’t overcommit yourself – pushing back or saying an early “No” can reduce the slow drain and burnout of a busy schedule.
3. Fall into your routine and protect it
   • daily movement and exercise
   • mindfulness morning and night
   • fuel your body with proper nutrition
   • maintain a healthy sleep schedule
   • be present with your wife
   • put the fucking phone away
4. Remain focused on the essential and eliminate distractions.
5. Slow, steady progress is better than rapid progress followed by burnout. Abide by a governor switch² and don’t waver.
6. Remember the immense cost of burnout – physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. Maintain your baseline.
7. Be yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else, everyone else is already taken.
8. Life is about relationships. Nurture them. Cherish them. Protect them.
9. People may dislike disagreement in the moment, but if it comes from a robust and principled perspective, they will respect you for it in the long run.
10. Have courage and go forth.
11. Remember: you’re already worthy and enough. You don’t need to earn praised and respect from others.

1. Fun Fact: This phrase was originally popularized by Benjamin Franklin in 1758 in an article he wrote to the London Chronicle. ↩︎
2. A governor switch is a device used to measure and regulate the speed of a machine. ↩︎