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2024 Was Burnt Toast. And 2025? Still some charred bits to scrape off...
New job. New city. New toast, slightly less burnt. Here’s how I rebalanced my life with "help" from Homer Simpson.
Vaugan Nayagar
September 22, 2025
In partnership with
Hey my friend ☕️,
At the end of 2024, I looked back at my life and summed it up in five words:
2025 has been highly stressful with major life changes.
But, it’s already shaping up better.
Perfect time for a review.
Grab your coffee. ☕️
Let’s chat!
New Job. New Province. A Wheel Thrown Off.
With the new job at Capitec, I needed to move to Cape Town.
This wasn’t just a change of scenery.
It was a full-system reboot:
New commute
New province
New home
New job
And, a switch from night owl to early bird routine.
The Wheel of Life wobbled. The toast? Slowly blackening.
But not everything went sideways.
Some slices got a nice golden crisp:
Career? Loving it. My new role has purpose, challenge, and momentum.
I’m playing to my strengths more than ever: problem-solving, strategy, storytelling, leadership. And it’s energising.Growth? I’m learning more than ever on multiple fronts thanks to all the changes.
Spirituality? We are now closer to nature. The winelands are around us. My anxiety and stress levels have fallen dramatically. I feel that elusive inner peace is finally within reach…
But two slices?
Still blackening.
Health.
Social Life / Friends & extended family.
These same ones were burnt last year. And now, still charring slowly….
Next Focus Area: Sweat Equity!
“When we are young we would sacrifice our health for wealth. But when we get old & wise we would sacrifice all of our wealth for one good day of good health.” - Robin Sharma
From the review, it’s clear I need to invest in the asset I’ve been neglecting: my body.
Because while my career has momentum,
My energy? Low.
My muscles? Atrophying.
My cardio? I’m out of breath jogging up 2 flights of stairs at the office.
So I’m starting small, consistent, and non-negotiable.
Afternoons are now dedicated to Sweat Equity.
The Plan:
Diet: more wholesome foods and water.
Sleep: stick to the early bird routine consistently.
10,000 steps a day: gotta keep that smartwatch charged.
Low-friction workouts: stretching, treadmill, dumbbells, circuits.
4pm gym routine: three times a week. Bonus workouts on the weekend.
Q4 goal: 36 sessions, resting heart rate, VO2 Max and blood pressure etc in range.
Now, to execute.
Look out for next week’s post First 100 Days Series. Part 3: Execute.
Can you guess who the character is?
Hint: See the trailer pic at the end of today’s post 😉
Key Takeaway: The Wheel Is Your Life Dashboard
The Wheel of Life is how I check the dashboard of my own life.
It doesn’t judge. It reflects.
It reminds me:
“What gets measured gets managed.” - Peter Drucker.
In 2024, I just wanted to survive.
In 2025 and beyond, I want to thrive.
Thriving means feeling strong in my body, not just my brain.
It means sweating again.
Breathing deeper. Feeling happier.
How do you feel about your own wheel of life?
When last did you take a hard look at it?
Which spokes are you focusing on?
Reply to this mail and let me know!
Until next week my friend. ☕️
Vaugan
Chess Puzzle - Your career is a game of chess. Play well.
White to play and force mate
Move the pieces and try to solve here.
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Next week on Scary Management…
We continue to Part 3 of the First 100 Days Series: Execution.
Part 3: BA - Execution. Secure Early Wins.
Part 4: Murdock: ?
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BA Baracus drove the van. So technically, he’s the er, Delivery Manager?
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