Do more. Be better. Learn. Strive. Achieve. Optimize.
These are the mantras of a disciplined life… right?
A few weeks ago, I ran a 30-day experiment: stay up late to enjoy watching sports at night. It was a way to test if I could integrate something I love—football and sports—into my routine without sacrificing my discipline.
The result? I enjoyed it. But over time, I felt behind. The quiet, focused mornings were gone. My sense of momentum slipped.
So last week, I made the call—I’m back to 4 AM wakeups.
There’s nothing quite like those early hours. By 9 AM, I’ve usually accomplished more than most people do all day. It’s not about hustle for hustle’s sake—it’s about owning the day before it owns me.
But today gave me pause. Not about the early mornings, but about the pace I’ve been running.
With client work, personal projects, workouts, writing, and studying, I started to feel stretched thin. And when that happens, I make mistakes. Mostly in communication. I rush, I react, and I lose the intentionality that makes this whole Two Pillars lifestyle work.
I’ve also made a strategic change to one of my pillars. I’ve temporarily put my CCNP certification on hold for six weeks to pursue a focused Jamf certification path:
This isn’t a step sideways. It’s a leap forward.
These new certifications position me incredibly well when paired with my CCNA and Fortinet Certified Professional – Network Security certifications. Together, they form a strong foundation for remote work opportunities that bridge Mac management, endpoint security, and enterprise network security.
But leveling up in multiple areas comes at a cost—and that cost is clarity if I let myself get stretched too thin.
And that’s the lesson today:
Doing more only works when you stay present.
Discipline isn’t just about effort—it’s about intention. Some tasks can be knocked out on tough days (like workouts). Others—like deep study—require full attention and presence.
So I’m leaning into the structure that works:
✅ Wake early
✅ Focus deeply
✅ Do less, but do it better
Let’s move forward—clear and committed.