2024 was a year of transformation. It tested my resolve, pushed me to confront some of my fears, and sparked a journey into the unknown. From completing my NYSC to navigating the tech industry's twists and turns, this year was about finding clarity amidst uncertainty. This sparked a determined 2024 with two purposes: 2024: A Year of Work and Committing to Competence. However, when opportunities knocked, I let the fear of the unknown cloud my judgment.
The year began with a switch in companies, ensuring I wrote a language dear to my heart; after a few months, inspired by the realization that backend engineering and data infrastructure intersect in fascinating ways, my quest for knowledge led me to Data Engineering. This field shone with its numerously interesting applications, from âselling shovels to minersâ, to leveraging advanced analytics to solve real-world problems. This journey opened my eyes to the power of data, not just in driving business decisions but also in creating innovative solutions across industries like healthcare, finance, and technology.
To immerse myself in this dynamic field, I ventured into projects, countless tutorials, and an excellent Bootcamp, equipping myself with the knowledge to navigate the data landscape. Data infrastructure proved to be as fascinating as it was complex, however, despite my efforts, I was reluctant to go deeper into the underlying concepts and the forces driving industry-leading data companies. Setting ambitious targets, like writing an article monthly (12 annually), I quickly realized the gap between aspiration and actionâmanaging to produce just threeđ.
As the year neared its closure, I reflected on my progress with a mix of pride and frustration. While I had taken significant steps forward, I had barely scraped the surface of the targets Iâd set for myself, leaving me questioning my discipline and commitment. It was a humbling moment, underscoring the need to realign my goals and refine my approach.
But then came a turning point. Speaking with a couple of friends who chose to use their 2024 as a starting point for growth and learning led me to reevaluate my approach. Although success was not 100%, their enthusiasm for setting clear, actionable goals and embracing challenges inspired me to see my setbacks not as failures, but as lessons. It wasnât just about hitting targetsâit was about growth, however incremental, and staying committed to the process. This was capped during a Zoom session titled Future Proof 2025 to close the year with Solomon Ayodeleâan amazing legend and a longtime mentorâI heard a sequence of truths that stuck with me: 'Your life is a brandâŚCommit to doing it afraid'. Those words resonated deeply and have pushed me to act despite fear: What is the worst they could say? Exactly, keep pushing!. Just as people write New Year resolutions, Iâve been led to a strong commitment for 2025 - The commitment to building my dreams and building shamelessly, while doing it afraid. This article is my first act of commitment to building shamelessly. My main goals for the upcoming year are to integrate data fields and backend into my daily workflow, build usable products, and constantly iterate. To anyone standing at the edge of their comfort zone: Take The Leap. Build your dreams with conviction, embrace failure as a stepping stone, and remember, your fears are not roadblocksâtheyâre signposts for growth.
Cheers to 2025 with a building and doing mindsetđ
Whatâs one thing youâll commit to doing afraid in 2025?