Those that have been around the Microsoft community for the last few years have noticed a lot of chatter on the first day of each month. It really doesn’t matter which day of the week the first day of the month falls on, my social media feeds all fill-up with excited posts. The posts all revolve around the single topic, Microsoft’s email to all of their newly minted MVPs (Most Valuable Professional) across all of their product offerings.
If you are not yet familiar with Microsoft’s MVP program, let’s quickly cover some of the basics. The program is designed as a “Thank you” from Microsoft to members in the community they consider outstanding leaders. Individuals are nominated by Microsoft employees or by existing MVPs focused on individuals in the community who have demonstrated that they are experts in their field and have a passion for always being willing to help others. Microsoft gives a high-level overview of the program for more details about the program.
On Sunday, March 1, 2020, I was grateful and astounded when I opened my inbox and found a congratulatory letter from Microsoft recognizing me with their MVP award.
Anyone that investigates what it takes to become an MVP will quickly find that recognition doesn’t happen overnight and it is not done alone. The award truly highlights the positive impact of a community and those that engage with the Microsoft Community.
For the last eight years, I have been involved in the Dynamics 365 CE (formally Dynamics CRM) community. I was first encouraged to join the community by a mentor, Bill Caldwell, who saw it as a great place to learn from others and an opportunity to help give back. After a few years of attending quarterly meetings, I was asked to help co-lead the Denver chapter. As a chapter leader, it was exciting to help craft the gatherings to meet the desires and needs of the local area group.
After moving to Seattle, I became more heavily involved in speaking engagements and sought to focus on new administrators and their need for the basics to get up to speed quickly. This focus of learning and resource led to creating the Bacon Bytes and the companion YouTube channel a little over 2 years ago.
Often it feels like the only constant in life is change. Over the last 2 years, I have had the opportunity to achieve both personal and professional goals and start a family. Through changes, it is important to always come back to why you are doing something.
Earlier this year I was challenged to define my “why” and not focus on my “what”. After going through many iterations, I was able to articulate my why as, “Improve the lives of others and their experience with technology.” While I haven’t until recently been able to clearly articulate my why I can see the traces of it going back since I started in the community and at home.
“Improve the lives of others and their experience with technology.”
Some of the changes this past year have been harder than I realized at first, but the community has been amazing and individuals have helped me in ways they may never realize. There are so many people that supported along this journey and I can’t mention them all but know if we have had a conversation over the last few years that you have helped shape me.
The first person that made anything I have accomplished possible is my amazing wife who has put up with me streaming from our living room and takes care of the family when I am away speaking. She has been amazing and encouraging every step of the way.
Thank you to Gus Gonzalez for seeing great promise in me that I never knew was there and for being a true friend along the journey.
Thank you to Nick Doelman for showing me how to be humble every day as you manage expectations of a new role and for being a constant friend over the years.
Thank you to Ed Gonzales for being an instant friend that I can always reach out to no matter how crazy the idea is.
Thank you to Mark Smith for your mentoring challenge that helped focus and refine my direction.
Thank you to Jon Levesque for reminding me that I should always be me because everyone else is already taken.
Thank you to Joel Lindstrom for promoting others in the community and helping them succeed in their dreams.
It was something everyone told me, but I have often learned the hard way, you can achieve so much more in a community than you can solo. I would encourage you to find your community of people that both inspire and challenge you so that you can achieve things you never thought possible.