Navigating Uncertainty

Every day in this lifetime is a hurdle with lessons to be learned and unlearned.

I am fortunate to have a loving family and overwhelming support. Despite this love, my life adventures have been filled with many ups and downs. I tend to focus more on the ups but that doesn’t mean I ignore my downs.

I have learned that it is through being one with all these experiences that one can understand and grow from each and every one of them.

At social events, I often find myself networking with people from all walks of life. The question “What do you do?” keeps ringing in my head.

I replied one time with “I stay fly” and caught the person off guard to the point where they felt impressed.

Personally, I find it restricting to define my capabilities, but I guess that’s what the world requires. I tend to lean into being a multidisciplinary artist because I believe I am capable of a lot of things.

Truth is, I always fumbled as to what I do and that caused tension in my brain. Imagine pushing thirty and not knowing what to do with your life. That can be strenuous to think about, but I’m here to tell you not to stress yourself and that everything will be okay.

So, What Do I Actually Do?

Tech & Engineering

To start with, I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, and I furthered my education by completing a bootcamp to become a full-stack software developer.

You can check out my personal website at Dev Life Fly.

Music & Creative Arts

In addition to my day job as a gym administrator, I work in the evenings as a music executive and artist for a recording studio.

Writing

I enjoy writing about my life experiences as motivational pieces, and I have published two anthologies so far.

You can check out my blog at Grey Dad Writes.

Entrepreneurship

On weekends, I sell indoor and outdoor plants and have an online shop on Instagram @mrdflowerventures.

Influencer Work

My online presence has enabled me to become an influencer for brands like Guinness, which has taught me how to monetize my posts and myself as a business.

I strive to make the most of all my abilities in this lifetime.

The Dark Times

A couple of years ago, I was clueless about what to do with my life. There was no definite structure I was following. Going with the flow was the survival mode.

I was going through depression and anxiety attacks. All this was because of the fact that I had repeated my second year in the university.

For someone like me who is smart, this moment felt like the end of my life. I felt useless and I didn’t know whether I could continue to the end to get my bachelor’s degree.

Eventually, I had to will my mind to go through the process, complete the course, and finally get the degree.

It wasn’t easy, but I got it done.

Military Academy & Discipline

I got the chance after to do my national service with the Ghana Military Academy. This was a life-changing moment for me again as I learned what it meant to be disciplined and patient.

Two specific qualities I know will take me a long way.

Not giving up on myself got fueled even more as I meditated on a saying my Dad told me:

“Just because they’re ahead of you doesn’t mean they’ve left you behind.”

The Power of Reading

With God being the foundation of my unique existence and my old habit of reading books during my leisure time, I realised that nothing was impossible and everything was possible.

Reading is life and one particular book that has had a significant change in perspective will be Mastery by Robert Greene.

This book examines the lives of exceptional historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci and Charles Darwin to uncover how they became widely-admired masters. The book teaches one strategy to use to become a high achiever and attain mastery in your desired field(s).

I highly recommend it to anyone trying to find their life’s purpose.

Physical Health = Mental Health

I believe life is a gift and we have to use it wisely.

Aside from mentally exercising through reading, I have also incorporated a daily workout routine into my schedule and this has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I started practicing Calisthenics and bodyweight training, and my body feels stronger. I am more in tune with myself, and I realised I no longer feel anxious in the present, which has greatly helped in my daily decisions.

Lessons Learned

Listen to Your Intuition

Along this life journey, people will tell you what to do and what not to do, so I advise you to listen more to your intuition.

Worst Advice

The worst advice I ever had was being told to drop out of school after being repeated.

There are people who have become successful after dropping out, but I believe it doesn’t work for everyone because looking back now, it has been to my advantage to have had my degree at least.

You may not want to work for anyone and would want to own your business, but you definitely would have to start from somewhere. It puts you in a better position when applying for jobs once you have a degree.

With time, you could definitely switch to doing what your heart truly desires.

Best Advice

The best advice I can say I have received will be from my mother who taught me never to give up.

A lot of obstacles will come your way but standing your ground and overcoming all the trials without giving up on yourself will take you a long way.

Quick Fire Q&A

Favourite Book

Mastery by Robert Greene

Daily Habits

• Prayer and meditation
• Reading
• Calisthenics and bodyweight training

Worst Advice

“Drop out of school” after repeating a year

Best Advice

“Never give up” — from my mother

Dream Walking Partner

Robert Greene — to discuss mastery and the paths of historical greats