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Booyeah!  My sons’ favorite word, and the word that describes my excitement for the beginning of this year.  As I, like so many others, look back on 2010, I remember a roller-coaster ride.  The first 7 months of the year were brutal, but then in August, we closed a big sale and were off and running.  Many of the marketing and prospecting activities to which we committed and relationships that we had been pouring into and developing began to bear fruit.  Heading into 2011, I am giddy about what lies ahead and the opportunities that have been laid before our company’s feet.

And a quick aside…I had a short conversation with a few of my CRE friends via twitter about the unscrupulous over use of the phrase “cautiously optimistic.”  We even had some fun coming up with other versions of the phrase – “optimistically cautious”, “capriciously ostentatious”, and with some negative spin, “recklessly pessimistic” (thank you @BarbiReuter @johnreeder and @SeanSelby – all worthy follows!).  Let me state boldly and unapologetically that I am optimistic about the coming year.  I see slow and steady growth, but we are still budgeting lean and operating with maximum efficiency.  And more importantly, I believe true CRE professionals can excel in any market.  I see it being done around me, and there are no secrets.  Build relationships, add tremendous value, put others before yourself, and work your tail off (this doesn’t mean the 80 hour work week).

But none of this talk is what really matters in 2011.  I remember a course in college where I learned the term paradigm shift – or recalibration of your thinking.  That is what has happened to me in the last 2 weeks, and it all stems from a new experience that I had last Tuesday.  I had my first daughter-daddy date with my 18 month old little girl.  My boys were spending the week with my in-laws, my wife was out with some of her girlfriends, so I put my darling garden tulip in the car and went out on the town.  Stop one lead us to a local sushi bar where my I introduced baby-girl to a California roll (not impressed) and a pile chicken fried rice the size of her head.  We then went to ColdStone Creamery where we shared a Cookie Minster, love it size, and then headed to my office where I showed sissy where daddy hangs out during the day when he isn’t loving on her.

In a new and clear way that night, I was reminded that my most important roles are those of a husband and father – not CRE guy.  My daughter doesn’t need me to pay for her college.  She is 18 months, and she needs me around.  She needs to know that she couldn’t be more beautiful and perfect to the most important man in her life.  My boys need me to love on them by getting on the ground and wrestling with them and by teaching them how to shoot a free-throw and throw a fast ball.  My wife needs me to give her unconditional and sacrificial love.  None of these things are accomplished by 80 hour weeks.

So my friends, as we begin to execute our big plans for this year – and I have some – let’s remember that it is our relationships that matter.  Put the most important things first.  Guard the time for your family.  Let’s learn to say no, and give ourselves permission to finish tomorrow.  Give those you love the most your best – they deserve it!  My best to you all, and as my friend @Michael_MBA likes to say, “let’s rock” this year!