Logging work life

Someone from Dallas F&P (LP) reached out to Latz yesterday to help with few funds managed by a couple of managers. Poor returns, and struggling with tail ends. We did some research and sent an intro doc out this morning ahead of a 5pm call. Other than that, week is generally quiet with small stuff to do. Like assess strategy for CMGP and divestment, so we can get our head around fund debt and liquidity to closing. Or look at fund filters and start calling LPs.

The CAIA has been in my mind, in addition to potentially an MBA so i can eventually transition into a general buy-side role if i wanted. And to help me build a truly local, and real network - personally and professionally. Here, i can start my own EMEA and Asia EM focused shop doing distressed fund advisory. 

If i dont do that, i've been thinking about going back into banking. Money is good, i know what i'm doing, i can just network, and focus on other aspects of life and say this is the best i can do career-wise.

Consideration is that MBA opens up opportunities which can be exciting but that comes at a large cost (cash and time). Banking is good money, and i can retire in 5 years, if i wanted, but doesn't give me comprehensive benefits of longer-term career.

Status quo doesnt sound stimulating enough.

I gotta decide what i truly want from my career, apart from 'growth'. Growth has been a key-word for me for years now but i dont know what that means anymore. Growth for the sake of growth? How do i connect dots? I'm all over the place.

Maybe i'm crazy and I'm focusing too much on my career and job because i have nothing going on personally, really. If i had a full life outside, perhaps i wouldnt be wasting time thinking about all this.

I need to figure shit out. Is this SPIRALING??? I dont know anything anymore. 

July 16, 2018

I woke up at 7.50 but got out of bed at 8.15. Reached office at like 9.40, later than i would have liked but there hasn't been much going on.

Spent the morning reading, and just generally working on Platinum and BD. Drafted an NDA, got on a call with buyers of secondaries, looked at valuation, liquidity CF for CMGP, and then met a couple of LPs from R&I Japan today, which was interesting. I need to learn more about Japan's state sponsored pension plan management. Apparently it is complex.

The hedge funds strats class was great, again, and i learnt a couple of things. Zach harped on how alpha comes solely from discount rate, vs anything else. We had a healthy debate, and i felt good speaking up in class. I need that right now.

He's given us a list of books to read. In addition, Dalio's Principles lists some books on page 104 which i will add here, to my reading list.

I feel like this is it - reading more on history of money and finance, learning about macro/markets, and just generally being a good investor is all i want.

The time to focus is here.