I’d be lying if I said my life ran like clockwork, and I had every single one of my ducks in a row. The truth is, many aspects of my life resembles herding cats - no matter how hard I try to get them all organized a few of them squirt beyond my grasp and I end up neglecting them for far too long.

I started this blog a few weeks ago with the sole goal of fleshing out my thoughts on web and marketing subjects in a public forum for feedback and discussion. I used to, and continue to, use it to advance my thinking, and perhaps naively, with the hope of getting people to advance with me. I intended this space to be a wide open mental space, free from personal drama, or emotional blah blah. So, I find myself in an odd position today as I make a dramatic exception. Today, I take a break. I’ll put the projects aside, the studies away, and my chores on hold - at least for a bit, while I take care of some truly important business: Saying Thank You.

My life has been rich with experiences and full of memories I’ll keep forever. Weaved in that historical fabric are the threads of friendships I’ve made along the way - some of which have broken years ago and some of which are still hanging in there. Despite circumstance, they all have made me stronger and the person I am today. So with that in mind, I suggest we all do something simple this week:

Take time to pause, reflect on life, and grow.

You can only move forward if you know where you came from and how you got there. Today, I’d just like to acknowledge those that helped me get to where I am, and who continue to help me get where I want to go:

My Circle

These are the special few whose lives revolve around mine so closely that their positive influences have rubbed off on me:

• My Wife and Family
  Their sticking with me through thick and thin is a Herculean feat which I can never thank them enough for. My wife is my biggest cheerleader, my little one is simply perfect and the rest of my family are the best support network one could ever ask for.


• My Friends
  To support me through all my hair-brained ideas (read: deep fried turkey) and projects (design marathons, and and all-day photo shoots) you have to be just as crazy as I am. Their sweat, input and humour will endure in my mind forever.

• Every mentor or superior that ever gave me a hard time
  By pushing me to my limit and grinding me down they have given me the resolve to survive life’s hardships


• Every mentor or superior that ever inspired me
  By making me think of things in ways I would have never dreamed of, and by making my brain hurt in so many good ways, I feel there are virtually no challenges I can’t meet.

• Tweeters
  Sure OK, I added you at first because I thought you tweeted something interesting - but hey, who would of thought we would of actually become friends?


• Analytics Allies
  Who can put an ROI on the friends you make while taking online courses? Priceless.


• The MBA Crew
  I went into my MBA program at the John Molson School of Business alone and knowing no one - now I feel I’m surrounded by not only some of the brightest people I’ve ever met, but some of the friendliest and ethusiastic.