Stay Neutral During Success

Good things create positive momentum. People get over excited and lose focus during good times. Keep your normal habits during good times. The CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, kept the same work ethic and decision making process during Microsoft’s record breaking quarters and tough times.

Reduce Event Impact By Distance

The weight we give to things affects our emotional state. Studies show people who stay emotionally distant from negative events recover 60% faster from setbacks. Practice seeing things from a third person perspective – instead of “I failed” think “The project had some things to learn from”.

Turn Setbacks Into Growth

Tough times have hidden opportunities. Warren Buffett bought his first shares of Berkshire Hathaway during a market downturn. Break down tough situations into action items. List three specific things to do from each setback.

Stay Consistent

Your daily habits determine streak length. Use apps like Atomic Habits to track your habits. Wake up at the same time, do your exercise routine, work at the same time regardless of external circumstances.

Accept Cycles

Life is cycles of ups and downs. Detach from outcomes by seeing them as temporary states. Focus on your response not the situation itself. Take small steps not big leaps during good and tough times.

My Random Thoughts

Freedom Comes From Having Options

Sitting in my new home in London, I reflect on how long it took to get here—and why that delay mattered. This post is about the power of having options in life, why mastery alone isn’t enough, and how real freedom comes from building your next move before you need it.

9/29/2025

Being Present is a Daily Practice

The human brain goes into present-moment awareness during life-threatening situations. The amygdala releases cortisol and adrenaline and we focus completely on immediate survival. We can access deep presence when needed – your brain does this during car accidents, natural disasters, or physical threats. This biological response has been with us for millions of years as a survival mechanism. Research shows these heightened states of awareness increase reaction time by up to 50%.

2/10/2025

Stop Rushing, Start Living

Twenty-five summers in Bodrum — gone in a blink. I spent decades hustling, chasing milestones, and ignoring the present, until I hit a wall and everything stopped. Learning to slow down, trust life, and simply ask myself “What am I doing now?” brought me back. Less fear. More peace. And for the first time, I’m truly living the moment.

8/4/2025