May 2025 - Diary of a Revenue Engineer
Quote of the month:
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."
- Anne Lamott
What I thought…
“...I found myself hovering on the edge of burnout...”
May was a month of intense pressure. Work felt relentless, and life with a spirited three-and-a-half-year-old, while wonderful, added to the demanding pace.
I found myself hovering on the edge of burnout, a state I’m sure many of us recognise. It was a critical moment of awareness that forced me to pause, take stock, and ask myself not just “how I could push through”, but “how I could fundamentally change my approach to sustain my energy and focus?”
Here’s what I got up to.
What I learned…
“It helped reinforced the ‘why’ behind the work I’m doing to build a better future for myself, my family, and my community”
A Deep Dive into Prompt Engineering
I got blissfully lost in the world of AI prompt engineering.
Many nights were spent tapping away until 2 am, with my Focus Music playlist on YouTube as my soundtrack, working to understand the nuances of prompt engineering to the calming science fiction drones.
I consumed everything I could find – Substack newsletters, Reddit feeds, and free courses from incredible resources like Datachamp and DeepLearning.ai.
I was architecting complex agentic workflows and chains that, when they worked, felt like pure magic. However, they often broke as I tinkered relentlessly (yes… i tinkered… too far…).
There's an undeniable hype surrounding AI, but the more I learn, the more I’m convinced it will fundamentally reshape how we work, create, and live. I’m personally excited for the surge in efficiency and the unblocking of creative potential it promises. However, we’d be fools to ignore the possible red flags and ethical considerations that come with such powerful technology.
This completely AI created video caught my eye on r/AIvideo on Reddit:
Reading Recommendations
I dedicated my morning swim sessions to relistening to my Blinkist collection, "Fannatical Financial Fortune" It was a powerful way to start the day, re-engaging with the core principles of wealth and happiness from timeless classics.
It helped reinforced the 'why' behind the work I’m doing to build a better future for myself, my family, and my community:
What I built…
“I now use frequently in my professional life”
This month was less about external builds and more about forging the tools for future work.
I’ve developed a substantial list of powerful prompts that I now use frequently in my professional life. My next challenge is figuring out the best way to share these resources with you on this blog.
For now, if you have any interest in AI and productivity, I heartily recommend jumping on SubStack – the quality of insight you can find there is astounding.
How I lived longer…
“My response wasn’t to find a new system or a complex hack, but to embrace radical simplicity.”
I hit a wall this month. That familiar feeling of burnout settled in – I was exhausted by work, by my own demanding routines, by the state of the world. I felt utterly drained. Thankfully, I’ve been down this road before and had the presence of mind to recognise the signs.
My response wasn’t to find a new system or a complex hack, but to embrace radical simplicity.
I consciously eased up on the hardcore routine, focused on completing just one task at a time at work, and prioritised keeping life at home calm and uncomplicated. As Bilbo Baggins so perfectly put it, I felt like "butter spread over too much bread."
I promised myself two weeks at this new, gentler pace and then checked in. The effect was profound. I felt rested and recharged, without feeling like I’d “taken my foot completely off the gas”.
If you’re feeling fatigued or spread too thin, let this be the nudge you need to step back and look after yourself first.
Targeted Supplementation with Healf
Part of that recovery involved ensuring my body had what it needed. I ordered a new batch of supplements from a company called Healf, and I can’t recommend them enough. The service was fantastic, and I found exactly what I was looking for.
Crucially, it’s the only place I’ve managed to find LMNT electrolytes here in the UK, a brand I constantly hear advertised on podcasts I follow.
If you’re looking to top up your own supplies, you can check them out here.
(Full disclosure: if you sign up and spend over £40, I get a small kickback, which is always greatly appreciated!)
Going Down the Mushroom Rabbit Hole
Our recent AI-driven research, where we analysed thousands of transcripts and websites, pointed to a fascinating conclusion: mushroom supplements are one of the most data-backed, low-cost, and bioavailable health supplements on the market.
Now, I’m admittedly biased, but if you’ve never explored the world of functional mushrooms for health and longevity, let me introduce you to the legendary Paul Stamets (you can thank me later).
I get most of my own mushroom paraphernalia from The Shroom Shop here in the UK. While you can’t seem to get Turkey Tail anymore (I’m not sure why), their range is extensive and the quality is consistently high.
How I stayed happier…
“This simple practice creates a powerful feedback loop for personal growth.”
My mental wellness strategy was just as structured as my physical health routine.
Meditation: I believe Jeff Warren’s “30-Day Intro to Mindfulness” on the Calm app is one of the best resources out there. I have it on a constant cycle, and each time I go through it, I discover new challenges and successes. It’s a foundational practice that grounds me.
Journaling: I used two key techniques this month:
End-of-Day Reflection: Before sleeping, I’d note down three things I was proud of from that day and three things I wanted to work on the next. This simple practice creates a powerful feedback loop for personal growth.
Morning Intention Setting: Each morning, I would write a clear intention for the day, phrased in the past tense as if it had already been achieved. For example, "I'm so glad I worked so hard on my nutrition and solidified the habits that help me there." I’d then detail what to watch out for, what I was grateful for, and a clear plan. Reading this 2-3 times throughout the day kept me focused and helped disrupt negative thought patterns. It’s the closest I’ve ever come to “manifesting,” and it’s a potent reminder that you truly do become your thoughts.
Final thoughts…
May was a whirlwind. I felt like the days passed like a speeding train on the opposite line.
I’m glad I identified the risk of burnout and took decisive action to counteract it. It's a humbling reminder that there is so much to learn in this world, and so much to do. In the midst of all the chaos and ambition, I am overwhelmingly grateful that my family and I are safe, free, and able to pursue these endeavours.
Thanks for stopping by, and stay well in June!
