Summary :
In the 1st quarter of the year, it blew compared to 4Q25, which was full of travel. J*b was rough, but I am now licensed and looking at one that is a much better value alignment and culture fit. I did learn a lot, but mostly about things I don’t like. The goals for the quarter were just short of all being hit. Next quarter’s goals are to land this new j*b and take advantage of this mowing time before the j*b starts, with hopes to travel and run a marathon. Very high hopes for this quarter. Lastly, requesting feedback: what about the weekly updates were liked, disliked, new ideas, etc.
1Q26 Overview:
In Q1, started off not bad, but balls — with a come down from traveling and starting a j*b that’s a misalignment of values and a poor culture fit. It was expected to be bad, but exactly how bad was greatly underestimated. Additionally, the value of lessons learned was also underestimated.
Q1 closed with a bang — an execution, j*b quit, and hopeful j*b on the horizon with an oil shock likely pending — excited to see how the market prices all these factors in for my 2Q26. I very much lost all swag in a j*b I hated, but I foresee it returning this quarter.
Few Things Learned:
There is a difference between something being hard and something sucking
The biggest impact of liking a role is the people—not a shock since people are always the best part, but the fact I didn’t even ask to meet the people and see if I might like them was crazy on my end
Pointless Teams meetings and compliance/corporate constraints on your freedom are hell on earth
It’s easy to sell when there is a need for a good product, but hard when there’s no need for a bad product—you need to make an offer so good they feel dumb saying no
You just have to ask—you would be surprised what people say yes to if you just ask, and if they say no — on to the next #ColdCalling
Corporations just dangle carrots that don’t matter to give you some reward that doesn’t exist, like “points,” titles, and recognition — all convert to no tangible improvement to your life, so you work harder for nothing
So important to think for yourself and ask questions—who does this actually benefit if I do what they say, will I actually get that result, what will the negative side effects be that they leave out, do their words and actions align? They make you do what benefits them, not you.
Looking back at key metrics and last quarter goals:
Increase bench press max back to 245 lbs
Didn’t make it to the finish line—hit 225 for 3, but transitioning to running made the goal change in the last month
Re-establish consistency in core habits: gym, church, diet, routine, and bed prep
Habits did come back. Work, being a fixed, repetitive schedule that sucked the swag from my soul, actually proved to be a catalyst to follow a schedule. But this does make the days feel the same, and life fly by.
Begin learning Spanish with the long-term goal of travel in South America
Spanish started and went about as expected. Learned some key words, watched some Spanish shows with English subtitles, and started listening to Spanish music
It’s hard—I already struggle with English, so Spanish is a big task. Will need to reassess, knowing how challenging it is
Still stuck with it—200+ day Duolingo streak. Chat was helpful. Making progress, but the plane is not taking off the ground yet
Not a priority this quarter, but will advance it when convenient
Books read: 6
2Q26 Goals:
Run a marathon/have one booked for fall/be injured
Land new role
Have a sick travel abroad before next j*b, or more likely: a few bands saved up specifically for a crazy trip, and good weekend trips to 2 cool places like: Niagara Falls/Toronto, Nashville, St. Louis, Smoky Mountains, Pictured Rocks, Boundary Waters, a beach, Washington DC, Seneca Rocks + Spruce Knob
Keep on track for Bible in a Year
2Q26 Guidance and Expectations:
I expect to cut grass for April and May, then in June take a trip if everything works out, then start my j*b when I get back, and enjoy it. At some point, I will have run or signed up for a marathon.
Hopefully, the trip is somewhere crazy like South America or Southeast Asia, with Morocco as a dark horse. Not sure if it’s possible, but we’ll see and try.
Not sure how the marathon will play out either—run in late May with Ben, or in the fall. Maybe go to Washington for the Jack & Jill Downhill and stay a few more days for the summer solstice, summit Mt. Hood, and see Illumination with Russ and Ellie—would be lit.
Expecting lots of books read, as it fell heavily from last quarter’s 11 books, down 45%.
Kind of expecting an injury soon—not running smart, but it’s hard to take it easy in the moment when I can go further.
🦬High Low Buffalo🦬
High:
Start of the year kayaking/camping trip with Navy Doug and Scrape. Kayaking at night under a full moon through ice was sick. Brutal the high was the 2nd day of the quarter—only downhill from there. But playing on the swings was really fun too.
Low:
Max’s execution
Buffalo:
I think the reason I got the interviews is because I sent the CEO a postcard from Alhambra, Spain
🎵Songs of the Quarter🎵:
Highjack (Right Back) by Alok, Laszewo & A$AP Rocky — ripped while playing with my kendama after w*rk
Keeps Me Sane by Tyler Nance — would play while cold calling, and I could easily zone out while it played
Mac Miller — Ladders, Best Day Ever, Knock Knock (Mama hates that one), Nikes on My Feet
Requesting feedback: what about the weekly updates can be improved? What can be added, removed, liked, disliked, etc.
Photos of the Quarter:
Click Here - I forgot to take photos of a lot of cool stuff
- VB