It's Time: Year 2023 In Review

Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

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I wanted to take some time to acknowledge the amazing experience of 2023 and give the glory to God. I also wanted to share my successes and learning opportunities, hoping that others would not repeat my same missteps.

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“It’s Time”

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“It’s Time” was the theme for me this past year. God gave me that assurance as I was planning what my goals would be for Year 2023. I had been running towards my idea of adulthood and being self-sufficient since I turned 18, but this year finally was the year that I could really step into it.

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I continued to pursue my Masters in Applied Statistics from Grand Valley State University. I had one semester left so I was on track to graduate April of 2024. Studying for classes and working my graduate assistantship filled the majority of my time. I was happy to have earned over a 3.0 GPA, but more meaningful to me was that I had gained skills that are competitive in the current workforce. Earning good grades was wonderful, but it was more important to learn how you can apply the knowledge being taught to after graduation.

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I made strides in my sleep this year. I bought the FitBit Inspire 3 and used its sleep tracking software to find what range of hours got me better sleep. I slept best between 10:15 pm and 6:30 am. I also invested in a sleep mask. If you do not sleep in complete darkness it can have a negative effect on the quality of your sleep. Additionally, work to not eat or be on your phone an hour before you go to bed. Once you find what works, do it consistently and you will feel more refreshed.

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Financial Success

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When I initially thought of “It’s Time”, it didn’t really include my studies or sleeping well. I was thinking about ways to make money.

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I was excited when I was accepted for my internship at National Heritage Academies. I worked as a Data Analytics Intern and completed an analysis on teacher turnover that had company wide impact. I learned the data analytics process from beginning to end and picked up skills in SQL, SAS, and Tableau.

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Within the first few months of the year, I was blessed with a logo refresh and a website to further promote my brand. Working with my Digital Marketer we developed tutoring content to bring in and service clients. I helped people mostly in statistics.

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I loved crafting speeches and this year I wanted to tap into the Professional space. I am thankful to have completed two opportunities at my alma mater Fort Valley State University. So many people stepped up and supported me in this endeavor, it’s awesome to know I can provide value in this space. Additionally, I invested in a Speaker’s Course and purchased my LLC.

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I worked with the Grand Rapids Urban League to compile a list of Black Businesses in the City of Grand Rapids. We also held a community event to honor Fathers, Businesses, and Juneteenth.

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I picked up my first freelance data analytics project. I reviewed about 7 years of student data for the King-Chavez-Parks Program at the University of Michigan - Flint. I detailed how student academic success markers changed throughout COVID-19 and broke the information down into multiple demographic groups.

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This past year I made more money than ever before. I paid off all my credit card debt and started consistently saving 10% in addition to tithing 10%.

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Faith Over Finances

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While my finances did take a great uplift, what really led to my growth was actually my walk with my faith. While doing everything mentioned above I decided to lean more and more into The Rest, also known as Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I went from sitting in the pews to working with the Young Adult, Kingdom Kids, and Media Ministries. I quickly found myself in church more than once a week and I actually enjoyed being there.

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Spending more time in the word and doing ministry gives God the space to change your heart. This is how you change the self-limiting behaviors and toxic mindsets that hold you back more than the money ever will. “It’s Time” shifted from being about making money and became more focused on developing relationships with people.

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Relationships

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The biggest thing that my internship afforded me was not the largest paycheck ever, but the ability to purchase an engagement ring. I was able to move forward with my relationship and propose. Your spouse has such a large impact on your quality of life, and I am so thankful to be able to move forward with our life together.

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I found a mentor in my Pastor. He’s somebody that pours into me and shares in my success. I thank him so much for his Faith. He walks boldly in the direction God leads him and I have embodied that boldness in my life.

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After GVSU’s Black Boys and Men Symposium, I connected with my group of guys up here in Grand Rapids. Initially, it was about building a Speaker’s group, but the relationship quickly became more. Our meetups started to become the highlight of my week. Every Wednesday, we met up at the clock tower dressed professionally, took a picture, and checked-in. There is something special that happens when you are surrounded by like-minded individuals all working towards their goals.

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The Standard is a men’s networking group that has played a huge role in my development as an individual. I finally have found a group that I am not leading the pack. Plenty of people within are outpacing me and it pushes me to go further and expect more from myself. Our End of Year Conference brought me several new relationships that I will invest more in.

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I also had a special moment with my Great Aunt. I did not grow up around either set of my grandparents so the week I spent with her was unique. She shared with me a lot about my family history. I felt so disconnected from my history that I almost gave up learning about it, but now I care again. Understanding more about your past helps you to understand some of your current struggles so you can overcome them.

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Relationships are more important than your finances. While I am happy with the money I made, I am more focused on the connection my finances afforded me.

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Lessons Learned

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While I did see a lot of success, there were missteps and areas I should have not spent as much time in.

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I put lots of effort into building up myself as a tutor, but I did not have the finances to invest in promotion the way I needed to scale nor was I willing to adjust to the realities of the tutoring climate. Students don’t want to pay for tutoring, their parents do. I kept marketing to my peers even though they had no benefit to using my services.

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I purchased a speaker’s course that aided in me getting my LLC, but my life was not really in a space to fully take advantage of it. I watched a majority of the content but I have not been able to implement much. My years of speaking are coming but now is not the time to push in that area.

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After sustaining a concussion last year, I realized that basketball was hindering rather than helping my fitness goals, leading to repeated injuries like snapping off my big toenail. Recognizing the risks, especially with my history of concussions, I decided to explore safer fitness alternatives.

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At The Rest, we had a recurring event called Thirsty Thursday. It was great in concept, but ultimately I don’t believe I led the group to adjust to a more innovative solution.

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In your romantic relationship, you should always be chasing and connecting with your partner. By doing so you will be more at peace within your relationship.

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Reflection

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Everything that I experienced this year was always coming. I am not in control of the seasons. As I have grown in my faith, this message rang loudly. I can’t force the opportunities to come to me. I was not in control of being accepted for my internship, thus having the access to the funds to save for an engagement ring. I couldn’t control if my fiancee said yes. I could not control meeting the amazing individuals across the city of Grand Rapids. I could not control the people who had opportunities and chose to work with me. I am not in control. God is.

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I believe I am at a point where I have truly breathed this in. Don’t focus on the outcomes or the success, focus on the inputs or the day-to-day lifestyle. I have been impatient for the past 5 years of my life. I was worried about what was next and if I could make more money now. However, as I look back I have always had my needs met. Sure I might not have as much as others, but I also have more than a lot of people. Day in and day out, I have woken up with a roof over my head, clothes, and access to food.

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Lastly, quality relationships with people are more valuable than money. Enjoy the gifts of your current season of life. This upcoming year I have so much transition in front of me, I am ready to embrace it, but I also realize I will never be able to go back to the season of life that I am leaving.

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The best advice I have for anyone is to seek first the Kingdom of God and he will provide for all your needs. My life is amazing. I still have plenty of growth to do, but I am very content with myself and my journey. If anything in this review was helpful to you or you would like to know more please contact me and we can schedule a call to talk about it.

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I pray for peace in everyone’s heart and I wish you to experience all that God has for you.