I find that I’m always striving for something new, reaching for a new goal.
Yes, it’s important to stretch yourself. Deep down we have a need to evolve. No one chooses to be stagnant.
But then this chase for something new always leaves me seeking. Just when I get the “something new” like a poof of smoke the happiness disappears.
Time to strive for something new.
A few years ago, I was planning my year and came across this concept, the reverse-gap of happiness. Instead of focusing on where you’re going and what you are yet to get. Take a look back at how far you’ve come and give yourself some credit.
Be happy with the moment and use that to propel you forward.
I think about the reverse gap everytime I feel stuck, zooming too far into the future.
It keeps me grounded.
Gratitude is a choice:
Most of us are hardly here.
I mean, we’re here physically but then our minds are miles away.
Either somewhere in memory, regretting the past or making up mental movies, anxious about things that have yet to happen in the future.
It’s easy to neglect the most important time – now.
Like right now, as you’re reading this.
One way to reconnect is to take a break and just recite 3-5 things that you are grateful for.
You are only as grateful as you choose.
Gratitude is a choice.
You can choose to focus on what didn’t happen this year or you can focus on the positive.
You can only be grateful when you reflect with intention.
As I reflect on this newsletter here are a few things I’m grateful for:
1. Hitting 100 letters
Writing 100 letters in 100 weeks.
I’m grateful for being consistent through the ups and the downs of the last two years.
2. Being healthy from last year
Look, I’m all about that paper chase.
But I’m learning that real wealth is good health and peace of mind. Compared to where I was this time last year, I’m grateful to be healthy and alive.
3. Publishing a new book
This time last year, I was in the DMs.
No, I didn’t fall victim to thirst traps on IG. I was sending private messages on LinkedIn, emails, and Whatsapp about the crowdfunding campaign for my book. I raised publishing funds by selling my nft collection.
I used it to write, edit, publish, and deliver my fourth book, Musta’s Mixtape, to readers in October.
Grateful for another book.
Grateful for the ability to follow through.
4. Having a decent BP
A week ago I was at the doctor’s office for my yearly routine.
After taking my main vitals, the nurse that said: “great, blood pressure is looking good. Plus you gained a WHOLE one pound from last year.” She laughed afterwards.
Health is wealth.
I’m grateful for a boring yearly medical checkup.
5. Being able to walk
Just over ten years ago, I tore my left Achilles playing basketball.
I was about to dunk on my opps like Ja Morant, that’s when I heard the pop. Well, at least that’s how I remember it. My brother and girlfriend, who were the only two people on the court, claimed we were just playing a light game of shoot around.
But hey, what matters is I lost the ability to walk for a few months.
Ever since then, I look at my feet and say “I’m grateful for the ability to walk.”
Like Usher said “it’s the simple things in life we forget.”
Don’t take anything for granted.
6. Getting on a journey
I’ve written about motivation, consistency, overcoming resistance, getting started. I’m still searching for “what I write about.” Maybe one day, I’ll find crystal clear clarity. Maybe not.
Regardless, I’m grateful I started.
7. Pivoting my business
Business was tough in 2023.
It was probably one of the toughest years of my life. Mixed in with unexpected life events, I hit a fork in the road. The questions that kept coming up were: “how do you want to spend the rest of your days on this planet? Who do you want to spend them with? Doing what?”
In that search I had to re-think my approach in my career.
I was about to take a job and my brother said: “how about your autonomy man? Your freedom?”
My response was clear: “Freedom? Sh*t. Give me freedom to pay my bills.”
I’m grateful to pay my bills, build my skills, curate my path.
8. Reconnecting with neural network (now AI) roots
Was my first business a failure?
I don’t know.
Is it on pause to be restarted?
Maybe.
I had been building it for the last eight years. It did get me to this point. A pivot brought me full circle to reconnect with my industrial automation and neural network roots as a twenty-year old graduate student back at Texas A&M. Now I’m at the forefront of some cutting-edge technology with some of the world-class pioneers in the space.
Perhaps the entire journey was to get me here.
“That ‘L’ you got was not a loss but leverage.” That’s what I tell myself. But it’s only leverage if you learn from your failures.
I’m grateful for starting a business, failing.
Then starting another one.
I’m grateful for being able to take necessary steps back to move forward.
9. Spending time with family and friends
Every week, I get a few replies to my newsletter.
It’s among the things that helps me stay connected to my friends and family. I’m glad I spent time being with and checking up on the people I care about the most.
I’m grateful for you.
For allowing me to land in your inbox every week.
Thank you for reading.
See you next year.
See you next week.
Yours truly,
Nifemi
P.S. I’m sure you have a lot to be grateful for. Share a few with your friends, family, or type a few up and send them my way in a reply.
