January 2023 — The beginning
Writing this article means I am going to be checking off the second item on my to-do list for the month of January. The first one I checked off was to finish my portfolio website and ensure it was live; the second would be to write an article at the end of every month in 2023.
2023 started on a light and not too serious note; I didn’t open my primary work tool (Figma) until the 11th day of the year. The first ten days were spent trying to watch movies that I have had on my phone and laptop for months (I even dozed off while watching some of them), 😀. I was so relaxed that I wanted to stay like that throughout the year, which was practically impossible.
The first standup meeting I had in 2023 was with the product team and stakeholders of a FinTech product I was working on. Although I was invited to work as the UX designer on the product last November, the stakeholders wanted to use the month of January 2023 to launch and test the product as it was in the beta stage, so I was told to go on break. It was a mixed-emotion kind of thing for me because it was my first meeting of the year and I exceeded my spending budget for the month of December. Also, I was happy because I have a chance to renegotiate the pay when it is time to continue the development of the product. #smiles.
I told a friend about it, and she sympathized with me. I told her that stuff like that doesn’t get to me at all. Perhaps it was because I had learned to be content or because I was expecting to receive twice my alawee (a stipend paid to corps members in Nigeria) by the end of January. #lol. By the way, I have seen the alert, and it is going to be my last alawee, as I will be concluding my 1-year national service on the 2nd of February, 2023.
You can message me directly on WhatsApp to send your gifts. 😊.
Last week, a friend uploaded a link to his WhatsApp status about being a schedule builder and not a to-do list maker (link to article). Although I haven’t read the article, I am confident that it is a good one because of the personality of that friend of mine. I should read the article before the end of this week and adopt it to see if it can help me better manage my tasks for the month of February 2023, and also help increase my productivity.
By the way, this is the first article I am writing without putting ink to paper. I prefer to write with ink before using a digital tool to type my writings. Maybe because I badly wanted to check another item off my January to-do list.
Highlights and Lessons
- We inspire people directly and indirectly. A church member told me that she has been noticing me and wants me to be her mentor.
- Our lifestyle also inspire people directly and indirectly. A neighbour told me that she wants her younger brother (who is currently staying with her) to take after my behaviour and character.
- People (especially friends) can wake up one day and decide to just ghost you. Be empathetic enough not to judge them and be wise enough to know when to draw the line.
- Don’t borrow people money, there is a 99% chance that they won’t pay back. No borrow person money wey you no fit dash out.
- Do not count your chickens before they hatch.
- No matter what, be a kind person. It is more noticeable and fragrant than an expensive cologne.
- The start of something is the hardest. I started my physical exercise routine, and it has been amazing.
I am hoping that I will smash my goals and tasks for the month of February. Till then, stay safe, exercise, drink water, listen to music, and be kind. bella ciao.
