2012 was an unbelievable year both professionally and personally. As in any year there were some setbacks and times of stress, but as I look back at 12/31/2012 vs 12/31/2011 those times of stress were fleeting moments 2013 looks to continue that trend.
So, as we close 2012 it is time to give some thanks…..and to wish all of you have an amazing 2013
1- My subscribers:
I have an unbelievable group of subscribers on the blog. They make it both fun and challenging at the same time. The best part of having paid content is the community. We are there for the same reason, have no egos and we are able to eliminate the bomb throwers that ruin so many comment streams. The conversations are stimulating and respectful and that allows for a far freer flow of ideas. Because of them, the blog, now going on year number 7 has never seemed like “work” but a conversation among friends. The effect of that is enormous.
2- Stocktwits:
The folks at stocktwits continue to do incredible and wholly under appreciated work in curating the community there and getting it a larger audience. Two years ago it was looked at as this “cute little twitter thing” and it has now become mainstream on major financial networks/publications. That is amazing. What is even more amazing is that is has grown wildly and managed not to lose its soul and become an unmanageable albatross. If anything its has become more focused and more user friendly. Impressive to say the least….
3- Leigh and Micheal
I made two startup investments this year in @estmize and @milehiorganics . Two very different companies in two very different industries but both started by leaders who believe in the same common thread. Give people an amazing product and execute it to perfection everyday. This is at the core of everything they do and I am impressed to no end at the passion they bring to it daily. Both companies are going to upend traditional industries and become the new standard. They continue to impress with their progress and I think 2013 will be a seminal year for both. I wish them continued progress.
4- My twitter followers/those I follow:
You continue to be a source of inspiration and knowledge to me. Every day something one of you says (tweets) makes me laugh, think, reflect or even leads me on a path of discovery I can’t say I would have found without you. Whether we agree or disagree is immaterial, it is the constructive engagement that matters. To say you are valuable is perhaps the understatement of a lifetime
5- To everyone else.
I’m sure I have missed a few folks and let me apologize now. If we came in contact and shared ideas, thank you. If we met and shared a laugh, thank you. Even if we differed on ideas, thank you, the discussion always causes me to look harder at my opinions
6- My family:
I saved the most important for last because if they read this, I want their thank you to be the last thing they read. Every single day they make me a better person. I am lucky enough to be married to an amazing woman who manages to balance a career, family and being a wife to perfection. I am also blessed with four kids who daily remind me of what really matters in life. It is important to know that even the “tooth fairy” visiting at night can be a monumentally joyous event in a life or that the best part of any day can be reading a 10 page picture book to a child. Ids there any better feeling than your kids walking up to you and hugging you “just because” or asking if you can lay on the couch and watch a movies together? They ground my life at its core and the best part is they do not even know they are doing it…….it is just their unconditional love that does it.
Every day with them is a blessing. Every day with them is amazing. Every day with them is the best day I’ve ever had……