Life of a New Year



As the clock struck midnight, Gbenga stood by his window, gazing at the fireworks painting the night sky. The bursts of color reminded him of his journey so far—filled with bright moments of success, shadows of heartbreak, and the ever-present spark of ambition. This year, he wasn’t just making a resolution; he was setting a vision for the man he wanted to become.

Gbenga had always been a planner. As the eldest of four brothers, he naturally took on the role of a leader, guiding and mentoring his siblings while balancing his own aspirations. Now at 25, he felt the weight of his experiences—from his six years in trading to his love for teaching and even the lingering sting of a failed relationship. But instead of letting those moments define him, he chose to see them as stepping stones.

The first thing on his list for the year was to nurture his love for teaching. Over the years, Gbenga had built a reputation as someone who could motivate and inspire. His knowledge of the financial markets—forex, crypto, and stocks—was impressive, but it wasn’t just about numbers for him. He believed in helping others see the bigger picture. "It’s not about the quick wins," he often told those he mentored. "It’s about understanding wealth, strategy, and discipline."

Gbenga had a vision of creating a platform where he could reach more people. Inspired by mentors like Robert Kiyosaki and Dan Lok, he dreamed of starting a series of webinars and workshops. "If I can help even one person transform their mindset about money, I’ve done my job," he thought.

But teaching wasn’t his only focus. Gbenga knew that personal growth was essential, especially when it came to relationships. His last relationship had taught him hard but valuable lessons. He realized the importance of self-awareness, communication, and emotional resilience. While the pain of the breakup lingered, he chose to see it as a chance to grow. "This year," he wrote in his journal, "I will work on myself, not just for a partner but for me. I want to be proud of the man I’m becoming."

Football, his lifelong passion, also found a place in his resolutions. An avid Arsenal supporter, Gbenga saw parallels between the team’s journey and his own. Arsenal’s resilience in the face of challenges inspired him to adopt the same attitude. "Life is like football," he mused. "Sometimes you’re down, but the game isn’t over until the final whistle." This year, he planned to take his love for the game further by joining a local football league. It was a way to stay active, connect with others, and channel his competitive spirit.

Professionally, Gbenga set a daunting but exciting goal. As a computer engineering student, he had always excelled in areas like cloud computing, physical servers, and data centers. But there was one aspect of his field that he had avoided—programming. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it; he simply didn’t enjoy it. However, he recognized its importance. "If I want to be the best in my field, I can’t ignore it," he admitted. This year, he planned to dedicate time to learning coding basics, not out of obligation but with a mindset of curiosity and growth.

Amid all these plans, Gbenga remained committed to his role as a brother. As the eldest of four boys, he saw himself as a role model. His younger brothers looked up to him, not just for guidance but also for the example he set. This year, he wanted to spend more time with them, teaching them lessons he had learned the hard way and encouraging them to chase their dreams.

One of the most exciting parts of Gbenga’s year would be the platform he planned to build under his gaming and trading nickname, O2G. The name had become synonymous with his identity—resilient, strategic, and always two steps ahead. Whether in gaming, trading, or teaching, Gbenga wanted O2G to represent excellence and growth.

As he closed his journal, filled with carefully outlined goals and aspirations, Gbenga felt a sense of clarity and purpose. This year wasn’t just about achieving external milestones—it was about aligning his passions, overcoming his fears, and living a life that resonated with his values.

Walking back to his desk, where his Arsenal scarf hung next to a chart of forex trends, Gbenga smiled. He picked up the scarf and draped it over his chair as a reminder of resilience and determination. Then, he glanced at his laptop, where the word “Begin” blinked on the screen

"This year is mine," he whispered. "Here’s to growth, resilience, and unshakable belief."

The new year had begun, and so had Gbenga’s journey to becoming the best version of himself—a journey filled with purpose, passion, and the promise of a brighter future.