Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Shaun

2012 was definitely brought in with a different flavour this year. Our son is now 5 1/2 months old and that changes everything. We rang in the new year at home watching some movies and just having some quality time with my family. When I think back to all the things I’ve done for New Year’s, I have no regrets and enjoyed those days, but I would never trade that in for what I have now. Having children elevates these kinds of experiences and its such a great feeling.

I love the first day of the New Year because its really a hard tangible “line in the sand” to start over. While success principals will teach us that we should be able to draw a line in the sand at any point in the year, the New Year is that pretty obvious line that anyone can get behind and I love that. Besides it’s a great way to kick the post-Christmas blue’s that I typically get.

In looking ahead you need to take a quick look back and reflect on the year that was. The things you did, the things you accomplished, and the things you set out to accomplish but didn’t. There is nothing wrong with not accomplishing things because that’s where you grow and learn and reset your goal for the next year. People who don’t understand success principals will look at you and say well you didn’t do that like you said you would. So? At least you get up and try again. A Chinese / Japanese proverb comes to mind – “Fall down 7 times, get up 8” It doesn’t say fall down 7 times and stay down, it says GET UP. That’s where successful people succeed and those not willing to “get up” fail. It’s proven many times but those who are successful in any type of industry.

So this year we will reset some of our goals that were missed and look forward to the new goals that we want to achieve. Our focus as always is to build a great life for our growing family and all decisions we make will be towards that focus. I’m excited for a lot of things but the largest is being debt free with cash in the bank so that we avoid the next downturn in the economy that is being predicted by credible sources. If anything has taught us over the last two years that’s to get as liquid as possible.

I hope that all of you out there reflect on the things that went on in 2011 and that you look forward to 2012 with anticipation that it will be the best year of your life. Whatever it is that you have set out, write it down, keep it in the forefront, put it on your fridge, whatever. You’ll be more likely to achieve them if you do so. All the best to you and yours in 2012!

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Shaun

My one and only post this month will be a Merry Christmas to everyone. Christmas season is my favourite season of the year because everyone seems to be in such better spirits and is ready to enjoy the time with family and friends. Its also a great time to reconnect with people that maybe you’ve not seen in awhile, so give them a call, grab a coffee and revel in the season.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that whoever you are spending it with you enjoy every minute!

Focus

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Shaun

Obviously it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted here and that’s quite alright. I’ve been promoted yet again at work, three times within two years, which is a direct by-product of my personal growth in the last two years. Leadership has always been key for me in everything I’ve done through the years and with the additional personal growth I’ve been through recently its in essence put me in almost the top spot I could ever get to in IT. Pretty much I cannot go any further at my current employer and for me that’s quite alright. The additional leadership I’ll obtain in this spot will only help me in our other more important endeavours.

So aside from that we’ve actually be re-focusing our energy on our family and our business and that’s about it right now. We had a recent lull which was fine, we needed to find out our groove and there was no pressure from anyone telling us what we had to do or what we had to go to. That’s what’s great about our business and what we stand for. Everyone has their own path, their own goals and their own business. We needed to take some time to figure out how to build this business with a little one and we’ve done just that and things are moving a long great.

I may post less frequently however the posts I do post will be more meaningful and more insightful. I’m excited for the rest of the year and for what we are doing personally and in our business. It’s Autumn, with season changes brings fresh beginnings.

Business Travel

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Shaun

Before I came into my roll where I am now as the Director of IT, I knew a lot of friends who travelled quite a bit for business. I looked at it and how long they were away from their families and just the sheer amount of travel they were going on. Fast forward to now and I’m seeing first hand how travel takes away from the family.

However I’ve seen how long the other guys were away and their travel schedule and I’m thankful that I can ask my wife when the best days for me to travel are, and I also 80% of the time make my trips day trips. Its much more difficult day trips sometimes because my days are much longer but in the end I’m back with my family before bed. Sometimes my trips take me on overnighters however I come back home by noon and I’m working from home the rest of the day.

There are lots of choices for travel and to be honest I think a lot of people will extend their trips a little longer then they really need to be as a matter of convenience. Convenience at the expense of family is how I see it and that’s not something I want to compromise when possible. I say this because of the comments I hear with some of these guys that travel in my industry. I also hear this because I like to chat with people when I travel and people will open up to perfect strangers and sometimes it’s shocking the things people say, just crazy!

Follow other bloggers for this year’s Summer Blogging Challenge here:

Zita of Ignite Strategic Solutions, Cliff of Peer Pressure Works, Tammy of Tam I Am, Peter of Crazy Wookie Cookies, Chad of The Daily Grind, Vlad of Analog Coast, Robb of Blogging Life, Kim of Nature Baby Bloggings, Liam of ln The Now, Natasha of Natural Urban Mamas, Earl of My Name is Earl (J. Woods), Brad of Kick Me Out Soon

Also follow this on twitter with the “Official” hash tags #SBC #SummerBlogChallenge

Last Sunday of August

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Shaun

Well this is the last Sunday of August and well the last weekend of August and I would be lying if I said I’m a bit sad at that. It means the inevitable changing of leaves from green to yellow and then to nothing. Edmonton is one ugly city once all the leaves are off and just before the snow falls. Its quite a depressing sight and I can see why people have the need to get the heck out of here during the winter and regardless if they have the cash for it they will go into debt just to flee.

However, there is a silver lining to this almost depressing state of season change here in Edmonton, its the fact there is change. Change is good, it gives us a clean slate sometimes so that we can move forward. While I would much rather have a longer summer, we need to deal with what we have and make the best of it. Embrace the change and move forward. Look at the bigger picture and be thankful to have another day on this planet and embrace the things that come.

So on this last Sunday of August I’m thankful for a lot of things. I think I’ll take a digital page out of Kim’s blog on Happy and write on what I’m thankful for.

I’m thankful to have a loving family who has the patience and grace to see me off to work each day.
I’m thankful to have my health of which I’ve been working at so that I may stay on this earth long enough to see my kids grow up and my wife grow old with me
I’m thankful for my family and extended family of who we try and see as much as we can, no matter the distance.
I’m thankful for my chosen family and friends
I’m thankful to be out of debt and no longer have those shackles in our lives
I’m thankful to have a wife that loves me and works on our relationship each and every day.
I’m thankful I’ve been able to raise a ton of money for Easter Seals and my thanks goes out to all those who have donated thus far.
I’m thankful for so much more but those are the key ones that are on my heart right now

I highly recommend that you take some time and reflect on what your thankful for.