I recently traveled to Florida for the IT conference I have attended many times in the last several years. I have gotten quite familiar with the venue, the classes, etc. I was happy to find this year felt a bit different with a new venue. Although the discussion material and people were similar to previous years, it was refreshing to have new food, different paths to walk, and a new place to explore.

I keep hearing people encouraging each other to be fearless and it just strikes me as funny. Isn’t fear a basic function we have to help us stay alive? Why is being fearless something we are supposed to be stiriving for?

Maybe there are good reasons to have fear.

The topic on my mind this month is determination. This is something that I respect in others and strive to maintain in myself. As we’re getting into the time of year for fundraising race events, I’m reminded of someone who is a great display of this strong type of determination.

November is the time of year when I travel down to Florida for a large annual IT conference. Not only is it nice to work in an area that’s 10 to 20 degrees warmer, it’s also a great time to meet and reconnect with my peers in the IT industry.

Especially as a small business owner, finding a way to keep your finger on the pulse of your industry is vital to staying current with the marketplace.

The crisp weather of autumn brings colorful leaves falling from the trees – The leaves of change. It’s amazing to me how just a few short months ago, these same trees were lush and green… And I enjoyed seeing them too.

My mind started to wander as I watched the leaves fall, and I began to see the parallels between the leaves and business.

After December’s newsletter went out, many of our readers expressed interest with positive feedback related to the “Keeping Workplaces and Workstations Clean” article. You guys are interested and want to know more!

Many of you have seen me pull out the wire ties and go to town on tidying up the wires that keep your computers and network running.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed their time with loved ones and all (or most) of your holiday wishes were granted. I’m happy to tell you that my holiday season was definitely one to remember and will be celebrated for years to come: Not only did I work up the nerve to ask my lovely lady for her hand in marriage – She said YES!!!

Needless to say, this past holiday was particularly exciting for me.

We are happy to announce our one and only Pete has tied the knot! (See happy photo below) As I listened to the happy couple say their vows, committing to support each other, it reminded me to think of all of the people that support all of us throughout our lives.

For those of you who work in an office, you probably spend more waking hours with your coworkers, than you do with your families at home. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to find things in common with the people you work with and make your time together more enjoyable.