On June 1, 2024, I left my job in quant finance to go all-in doing what I love.
I've got 90 days to make it happen.
The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary — Nassim Nicholas Taleb
On June 1, 2024, I quit what many may consider a prestigious job in quant finance to pursue my dreams. In many respects, it was the best job I could have asked for: excellent pay, challenging work, driven teammates, and skyscraper office in New York City. But something inside me still felt it wasn't what I was meant to be doing. For these next 90 days, I'll be documenting what it's like to dive into a career I'm wholly unprepared for.
- founded a company
- sold a product online
- fully embraced my creative side
- lived an unstructured life
In spite of those things, I'm deciding to go down this path to see what it's really like to, as many like to say, “do the thing.” If you'd like to follow this journey with daily updates, consider subscribing.
Daily Log
Click one to see the full entry.
![In the face of uncertainty](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F7888147e-45b5-4a78-b770-f56662aa93bb_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
001
In the face of uncertainty
Day one!
![Virality is a drug](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F6e1b311d-bccd-4c9a-a9fe-3c95985c1d59_973x1292.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
002
Virality is a drug
![It's real now](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cf_auto%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F6293cf15-857c-4a6a-a39f-4298199ca166_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
003
It's real now
![Time is the only asset](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F0f36fe18-6aa6-4ca9-8670-bba5afbfe302_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
004
Time is the only asset
![The pressure to succeed](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F618a214b-7afd-45fd-8d21-460596f84060_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
005
The pressure to succeed
![Pursuit of perfection](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F6649ec4f-eb90-4cc8-986a-ae23394d9a76_4080x3072.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
006
Pursuit of perfection
![Snakes and ladders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F08afb497-0008-4324-a907-1547e23141a2_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
007
Snakes and ladders
!["Zero days"](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fa37d21a4-b4f7-472b-856e-766091d91322_4080x3072.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
008
"Zero days"
![Unproven career paths](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Ff443e726-4655-4ab1-946b-3731db196d0f_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
009
Unproven career paths
![Slowing down and stepping back](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fc7d31a6d-bad0-42cd-ad4c-99b3c911d9d6_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
010
Slowing down and stepping back
![A game of numbers](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F8bdb0bae-08c3-489d-855f-c1aac651cfba_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
011
A game of numbers
![Zooming in](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F43a1da11-13d7-4385-95f4-c4a125ad20b4_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
012
Zooming in
![Live fast, remember slow](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F63e46994-f3d1-4aa2-bdcc-047af6f8e9b2_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
013
Live fast, remember slow
![Blank page](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F6ef13319-3025-413a-9941-8882cf7011ff_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
014
Blank page
![Reality check](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fa3c511c8-cf9b-4608-9bd2-ec583bb6be3c_2579x3502.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
015
Reality check
![Finding the compass](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F3b215750-23b3-4dc0-ba1d-895d9c3a550c_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
016
Finding the compass
![On sharing your goals](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F21472605-1442-4fc6-8567-33adca118f11_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
017
On sharing your goals
![Analysis paralysis](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fe49c0376-6555-44cc-b850-5f97c1d13c8e_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
018
Analysis paralysis
![Intentionality](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F571fff82-5a19-40f8-9fbc-fdf8ccf0a51f_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
019
Intentionality
![You can't rush inspiration](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fd4bbc6c3-2f8b-4c93-90a6-4395599f3bd0_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
020
You can't rush inspiration
![Reminders to myself](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fe3e990ef-6d75-4e81-ad5b-c8833c975e22_2935x2937.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
021
Reminders to myself
![Side quests](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F64480434-c056-416e-89df-1fa6819b587c_2813x3736.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
022
Side quests
![Learning to commit](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F719ad179-8612-4c25-9cb2-a16dee8361a9_4080x3072.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
023
Learning to commit
![An exercise on committing](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Ffee0b163-fd45-4e90-b890-4ebb5b3cd32c_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
024
An exercise on committing
![Don't knock it till you try](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fc10c6588-2434-42fa-83df-e14d6b79f843_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
025
Don't knock it till you try
![Tinkering with sound](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F7c2afda3-26d4-496d-9dd4-3f64628807b9_2048x1365.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
026
Tinkering with sound
![Why write?](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fac0fbe96-561f-490e-8ff0-bea0aa5abaff_1365x2048.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
027
Why write?
![More unknowns](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F988815f9-b849-4d0a-8225-d6b4a9dea485_1365x2048.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
028
More unknowns
![A few highlights](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F6ad43a7c-0144-42ce-9227-fcc2e0c18ee2_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
029
A few highlights
![One month later](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F9679b7a6-1370-429f-a544-d110620a4f02_4080x3072.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
030
One month later
![Planning for the next 30](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Fb7dcd79b-85d3-4af7-a30a-2e6d52de3812_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
031
Planning for the next 30
![Back to work](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F0deefded-9e9e-442a-a0fd-f88d8592b3bb_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
032
Back to work
![Rapid prototyping](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F17aff563-3355-4064-8224-c6096b3fb0a9_4080x3072.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
033
Rapid prototyping
![We need more trains](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F6983ffae-60a6-4a07-b876-935ea589c10b_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
034
We need more trains
![How to not miss a flight](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F08e7a1dd-5e65-4350-b212-60ba54f5293d_3072x3323.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
035
How to not miss a flight
![Unrealized losses](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252Ff112a849-f2ef-4c4f-abdd-b5b3d6cf0d66_4080x3072.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
036
Unrealized losses
![I'm still here](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F05d559bf-897e-46a9-a6ce-43e584d27640_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
037
I'm still here
![Birds-eye view](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F0603162c-6ff9-4767-84f3-256fd95a187d_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
044
Birds-eye view
![Gentle growth](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F794f44c0-8b99-4aea-8c37-dabe9a19276b_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
048
Gentle growth
![Refocusing my efforts](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstackcdn.com%2Fimage%2Ffetch%2Fw_500%2Cc_limit%2Cf_webp%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cfl_progressive%3Asteep%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%252Fpublic%252Fimages%252F7a217111-5bf9-419e-88e2-990ce64f423d_3072x4080.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
065
Refocusing my efforts
090