2020
New years is my favorite time of year because I enjoy reflecting, giving thanks for what has happened while planning and anticipating the promise of a new beginning. Not only is 2020 a new year but also a new decade. Most of the time I have tunnel vision so I don’t share what I am up to, but so much has happened. I also have to admit that sometimes I don’t share because of fear of looking bad. I'm going to take a page from 8 Mile and put out my worst moments first so there’s nothing on me. In the last decade, I fell on my face, got up, and celebrated my growth. Join me as I reflect on the top 10 lessons and the top 10 victories of the last decade.
2010
10 lessons of the decade
I ended up sitting in a jail cell for my first speeding ticket while driving up north to Boston and being racially profiled at a traffic stop in Northern VA. While I was sitting in jail and listening to someone talk about smuggling coke in their butt like a movie... I realized that I was completely alone and had to take complete responsibility for my life. Nobody was coming to save me.
I took way too long to make a move to California. I stayed in a toxic environment full of snakes that didn’t want to see me grow because I was scared.
I lost a lot of money figuring out how to get into the world of real estate and now I’m on my way to quickly making better mistakes.
I lost a lot of money figuring out how to get into the world of digital marketing and online business but now I’m on my way to better mistakes.
I had a massive falling out with my father and had to learn a totally new way of relating to the people in my life that I love and can’t get rid of, regardless of where they are in life.
I got my first complete F in a class -- French. Then almost got kicked out of college for a plagiarism case which held me back from completing my only real goal in college (studying abroad in Paris). In the process, I also lost an opportunity to reconnect with my roots in Ghana because I had been prioritizing Paris.
I picked up my masters in the school of hard knocks... on the streets and almost lost my life a number of times in the process.
My whole world was turned upside down when I started to really dive into the history, psychology, and sociology of this social construct we call “Race.” It almost cost me my identity, but instead, it made me far more confident in who I am regardless of what anyone says.
I compromised my values and principles for temporary pleasure and to please people that didn’t have my best interest at heart.
I stepped away from health and wellness in an attempt to get a “real job” only to realize that most of my bosses were even more lost and unhappy than I was.
Top 10 victories of the decade
Became the first in my family to graduate high school and make it to college.
Became the first in my family to graduate from college.
First full time job as a teacher gave me the opportunity to really engage with my first love, History, and restructure a history course to introduce counter narratives to the Eurocentric white washed dominant narrative I was taught in school.
Worked my butt off to completely got out of debt including student loans, medical debt, an upside down car loan, credit card debt and built a 3-6 month emergency. Learned a lot in the process. Now I help others get out of debt and into their first home.
Moved from the east coast to the west coast with zero support from my community except one and made it work. Shout out to my mom and my fiancée.
Completely revamped my health game a number of times. Came back from injuries and got stronger and better each time. Ended up writing two books and created a holistic coaching programs as a result. Thanks to Shad, Malcom, Johnny, Cameron.
Survived a car crash on an icy bridge that could have gone in a completely different direction.
Proposed to my rock and the person who has been with me through it all. We then bought our first home in San Francisco and clarified our vision for building our lives together and having the greatest impact on the world together.
Started really focusing on building my community with people that push me up not bring me down.
Narrowed down my calling in life which is designing a life I don’t need a break from and helping others do the same.