The year started quite slowly for me. I didn’t have any job gig or project for the first two to three months, and I was totally worried. I had some money saved from the previous year, so I wasn’t totally broke. But I was worried because there weren’t any new funds coming in. I was still spending from last year's fund.
Then, I got a call around March to come to Abuja to facilitate a class. I was so excited about it. The money wasn’t so big, but I saw it as a spiritual opening to the year for me. I got myself prepared and traveled to Abuja for it. I remember spending hours on the phone with my good friend, Buggie, excitedly raving about it to her.
That same month of March, I got paid a sum of 3,000 dollars for a consulting gig I handled for an international NGO the previous year, but you know what, I blew that money. Lmaooo. It’s not funny o. I spent that money like a tiff. I think it was when the funds got to like the last N300K, that my senses realized I had blown it all. Well, lessons learned. We move.
Oh, I totally forgot. Something happened to me in February. This is actually the first time I’m speaking about it to anyone or in public. I had only told one person, and that was it. I made a very crazy decision. It wasn’t easy making that decision, but I just needed to. I was having a running battle with my mental health, and I needed to quit. And so, I dropped out of my MSc program at Babcock. I had just resumed in January and had started attending classes, but I was struggling to cope. I hadn’t gotten accommodation, and so I had to go from Ojodu Berger to Ilisan on a daily basis. It was killing.
I resumed the semester late, and so had a backlog of things to cover up. I had tests and assignments hit me so hard, that I was so overwhelmed. Add the stress of commuting to and fro on a daily basis, I was hanging by the thread. I remember one particular assignment we were given. We were to read 80 academic papers and pick out some details from each of them, then use that to write out our literature review and identify the problem for our thesis. That assignment broke me. That particular evening, I got back home from school by 8 pm, after suffering traffic on the expressway (Mowe to Berger), as I got in, I showered, fired up my laptop, and started working. I was in that position till 5 am.
As at 5 am, I still hadn’t finished. I looked at myself and knew that I couldn’t go on. I just sent a text to my course rep, telling him I quit. I must confess, it was one of the most embarrassing quitting experiences for me. I usually pride myself on being very capable when it comes to academics, so that particular one hurt me so much.
After I dropped out, I packed my bags and traveled to Uyo (Jsyk, Uyo is my safe space, I always go there to recharge). I spent almost a month there just loading around, eating good food, breathing fresh air, and not worrying about a dang thing in life. I needed to clear my head. I’m so glad I dropped out. It helped me realize that I needed to plan better. Well, I’m back to school, but now, way way better planned.
By March/April, the year began to pick up for me. Firstly, people began to respect and acknowledge me as a Personal Branding Consultant. It was cute tho, cos I began to get clients who wanted me to handle projects for them. This year, I was able to boast an impressive client list. I had two sitting House of Reps members, five Tech Startup Founders, two people in the Entertainment space, and one client I was privileged to play a part in his PR campaign and became a key cabinet member in the Tinubu Presidency.
This year, I placed more than 200 articles on media platforms for my clients. From Tech Cabal to Tech Next to Tech Point to Punch to Guardian to Vanguard to ThisDay and more. I got my clients on TV interviews, podcasts, and red carpets. I’m excited at the speed at which I’m learning the ropes of the industry. I know there’s more to do in 2024.
Sometime in June, I sponsored an essay competition for students in the University of Uyo, and it was a blast. We had the prize giving ceremony in Uyo and I was so impressed with the quality of work churned out.
Lemme talk about Training a bit. Yeah, if you know me well, you’ll know I’m a corporate trainer, and my specialty is in Strategic Communications.
This year, I trained more than 200 individuals from different organizations. I had people from top organizations such as Palton Morgan, etc
For those of you who about my Redwire gig, you’ll know it’s very close to my heart. I and other amazing facilitators led and managed the Graduate Trainee program for the company. We ran the first cohort for a year, and it was delightful. We had a beautiful graduation ceremony and matriculated a new cohort, which is currently on. Let me shamelessly plug in my ad; I can excellently manage a Graduate Trainee Programme for your organization from end to end. Refer me. I’m good at this stuff.
Oh, how did I forget? I launched my podcast. Yippie. I decided to finally do this. I had postponed for years, but this year, I hit the studio and did it. I recorded ten interviews and did 12 monologues. I’m currently prepping for my season two, and it’s going to be bigger and better.
One thing I also did in 2023 was to deliberately enjoy life. Damn, at some point, it looked like I didn’t have any responsibilities. I lived like I didn’t have any care in the world. It was from one party to the other, one outing to the other. I was practically partying and out-siding so much that I was beginning to become an upcoming Poco Lee😂
I lived that way because I’ve come to realize the joy and beauty of growing older. If you know me well, you’ll know I talk a lot about being a 30+ man. A lot of people think this is the age where you start declining and feeling old. Lmaooo. For me, it’s the opposite, I’m living my best life.
Getting to the end of the year, I organized a strategy sleepover with friends, where we got to plan, pray and strategize for the new year. It was one of the most beautiful things I did in 2023.
Now, going into 2024, I have decided to make it a year of dominion for me. I’m coming back to take my place among the greats. I took a break from doing great things for a while, and I know. I was off for a while, but right now, I feel a certain breakthrough. I know it’s time to be back to doing amazing things.
I want to speak with more authority, knowledge, and wisdom. I want to relate with Captains of Industry, Leaders, and Changemakers, and this would require a repositioning for me.
In all, I’m excited about what the new year has to offer. I'm excited about where I plan to take my podcast. I'm excited about my Personal Branding agency. Whew! I have a feeling I’m going to do bigger things next year.
And I want to spread that excitement to you reading this too. 2024 is gonna be phenomenal. You just need to feel it and move into that moment.
I like the slang that’s going around - In 2024, no gree for anybody. Omooo, hold your ground and own your space. You’re the real boss. It’s your year.
Stay Jiggy!
AI
Thank you sir for sharing your experience. Cheers to a better 2024!!!
Can you please share the link to your podcast, sir? Thanks.
I enjoyed reading every line and I wish you success in the direction you are taking..
Greater heights