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Every two weeks, I share my writing on investing, career transitions, meaningful work, parenting, living intentionally, and other topics that engage me.

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Field Notes Edition #12

In these shorter emails, I’ll share a few things that made me think, smile, or look twice. Maybe they’ll do the same for you.

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Let's go...

• Investing as Myth-Making I stumbled upon this Substack essay by Alexander Campbell, who posits that investment processes are overwhelmingly built on stories. These stories mix facts, complexity, and predictions, but often end in disappointment. Campbell outlines a 4-point structure - 1) a compelling narrative, 2) an inconvenient reality, 3) genuine complexity, and 4) a predictable endgame - and runs dozens of investment themes through this framework to make his point.
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• On Getting Sh*t Done This is the first time a "bad" word has graced the pages of this newsletter. 🫢 And it's not because Regina Gerbeaux has an awesome last name and must be related via some distant French cousin. It's because she writes awesome memos and delivers what the title claims. Key points: 1) Prioritize brutally, 2) Create space for truth-telling, 3) Implement real checkpoints, 4) Delegate with authority, and 5) Use a master task board. Read the full GSD essay here.
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• Holding Each Other Close There's no sugar-coating this one. On 9/20/25, my high school class lost a friend to suicide. One of my classmates, Lisa Algert, wrote a touching essay that I thought I'd share. It's the piece I wish I'd written. But actually, what I really wish is that John could have asked for the help he desperately needed. You can read Lisa's essay here.

Small Sparks Sometimes it doesn't take much.

• Unplugging It's been months since I abandoned LinkedIn, my only toe in the social media landscape. No regrets. Then I stopped wearing my Oura Ring. More recently, my Apple Watch has been relegated to its charger. Instead, on my wrist you'll see an old analog watch, if I'm wearing one at all. And now, I find myself leaving my eyeglasses on the dresser more often. When I'm not reading or deep in a spreadsheet that requires precision, maybe it's ok if the world is a little blurry around the edges. All of this feels good.
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• A Hike Fall is my favorite time to hike. The temps are cooler, the leaves are turning, and no bugs! Last weekend, we enjoyed the Cliff Trail in Harpswell, which delivers a massive bang for the buck. This easy two-mile loop rises along a beautiful ocean inlet.

• A Visit I enjoyed lunch with a long-time friend and her husband at Noble Pizzeria & BBQ in Portland. They were in town for the Maine Marathon. By the time you read this, "R" will have finished his first marathon at 55. It's never too late. Thanks for the inspiration, sir.
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• A Quote About Relationships I regularly revisit this story that Jim Collins shared in his conversation with Shane Parrish. This describes the beauty of a relationship in harmony; both feel they benefit more. In a transactional relationship, only one person would feel this way.

• A Homecoming Next Friday, our daughter returns home from college for fall break. After some initial and not unexpected bouts with homesickness, she's settled in. We miss her and can't wait to get the latest updates in person, before she heads back to PA. Consider this a future spark of joy.

And a Farewell Photo...