Reflecting on 1,827 days out in the wild.

Five years ago today, I took the plunge and resigned from a pretty sweet gig at a quantitative trading firm to scratch an entrepreneurial itch.

Shortly after, we were told, “You must stay at home.”

There have been market dips, bounce-backs, and everything in between.

It’s a good time to reflect on the lessons learned.

A lot will seem pretty cliché, but I have had to learn them the hard way. Much like a toddler’s impulse to touch something hot after being warned, I suspect you will have to experience them firsthand to appreciate them fully.

• Uncertainty is a constant; get used to it.
• Paralysis by analysis is a real thing.
• Don’t self-reject; ask—you have nothing to lose.
• Work out your runway and then move on; staring at spreadsheets doesn’t make you money.
• Find systems and routines that work, and repeat them.
• Your gut is probably something to listen to.
• Some days (and you) will suck—box it up and move on.
• Pretty much everyone is winging it.
• Back yourself, or nobody else will.
• Be kind, do good things, just because.
• Inject some personality. Be memorable.
• Try and have some fun.
• Be present when spending time with your family.
• Enjoy the good times—they don’t last forever.
• Push through the bad times—they don’t either.
• Get great people around you.
• Don’t let your standards slip.
• Remember: “This will be a story you one day tell.”
• Be truly honest with yourself.
• Connect with EVERYONE you engage with on LinkedIn.

Being truthful, I’ve considered coming off this path more than once, but it kept dragging me back for whatever reason.

So, here’s to five more.