2019
I’ve had a really funny year of sweet ups and major downs. Until i did a mental review cruising down third mainland bridge on an Oride, I actually thought I’ve had the shittiest year in a while.
I guess when I compare to how 2018 was, I can say it’s not been as catchy. I remember entering the new year, off the high of increasing my earning power by over 30% every quarter, I resolved to do a lot more in 2019
CAREER
I have always told my friends that I don’t think i have started what would be my career yet. At the moment, I think my Job description should say “Code Mercenary”. Anyways, I focused a lot more on career interests this year:
- Completed my Udacity Self Driving Car Nanodegree. It was a very interesting experience, mostly because i had interest in autonomous machine engineering since after my graduation
- Completed my Udacity AI for Trading Nanodegree. Also building a project from the knowledge of this (cant wait for 2020)
- Transitioned to a Leadership role at my main gig
- Took a product at my current gig from MVP to an actual scalable App
- Worked on a couple moonshot products I hope would see the light of day sometime
- For the first time ever, I mentored someone. He’s been nothing short of amazing.
I think my biggest win in 2019 has to be the friends I made, mentored, learned from
Travel
One of my goals this year was to travel to a new country every quarter, unfortunately i couldn’t achieve that (watch out for my L’s. dem plenty die)
But I did manage to travel to Rwanda, for easter. with Raymond, Richard and Eniola. Touched 3/4 cities, and trust me, you need to visit. it was a wonderful experience. Travelled to quite a few cities within the country as well, Abuja being my favorite…
Personal
in 2018 I became a major recluse. for a period while working from home, I didn’t step out of my house except to get food for about 3 months. So I made a resolve to go out more in 2019. That paid off this year…
Shot my shot to someone I met on twitter this year, we’re currently dating (she’s amazing)
Got closer to my father. I think adulthood made me understand a few things about being a man with responsibilities, I have resolved to learn from his mistakes
I turned 24 this year, I finally understood what it means to be an adult. The marriage talks, responsibilities.. cant wait for 25! (maybe i can)
Hit the Gym religiously this year, I also learned to swim. Its time to start getting shredded. I hit a personal best of squats: 180KG, Bench: 100KG (150KG spotted), Deadlifts: 150KG
Major Ls
- Got a sweet remote gig in June, I had imposter syndrome the moment I saw my pay (later realised I could have negotiated even more).
I lost it later because i couldn’t cope, kept second guessing myself and thinking i wasn’t good enough.
Looking back, I realise i should have spoken to someone about it sooner. by the time I did, it was too late - Got my first visa rejection (UK)
- Remember the product at my current gig? We applied to YC, we were rejected after interview stage. (funny thing is, they interviewed us twice, which is uncommon, I guess that shows promise for 2020).
- Was headhunted by one of FAAMG. Didn’t scale the algorithm tests (even though they mostly passed).
Looking back at these L’s, they are actually all first attempts; which makes them wins in my opinion…
2020?
- I’m definitely going to write more
- Listen to more podcasts
- Visit more countries
- Start a company
I’m more than thankful for everything 2019 brought with it, Definitely looking forward to 2020
