A practical way to turn each vest into a repeatable tax, concentration, and cash-flow decision.
Start with the tax mechanics
Restricted stock units are generally taxed as ordinary income when they vest. Employer withholding may not cover the full household liability, especially when compensation is high or several grants vest in one year. Build the tax reserve before deciding what the remaining shares should do.
Treat every vest as a fresh allocation
Once vested, company shares are economically similar to receiving cash and choosing to buy the stock that day. Compare the concentration to the rest of the portfolio, your job exposure, near-term goals, and capacity for volatility.
Write the sell / hold policy before vesting week
A repeatable rule can define how much is sold immediately, how much may remain, where proceeds go, and when the policy is reviewed. Pre-commitment reduces the pressure to predict the next price move.
Give the proceeds named jobs
Direct taxes first, then planned goals, reserves, debt decisions, and diversified investing. The goal is not simply to sell stock; it is to connect compensation to the rest of the plan.