The year of the Rabbit lived up to its billing as a creative, compassionate creature demonstrating strength and intensity (according to the Chinese Zodiac calendar).

It was a pretty awesome year in all respects. I continue to feel blessed to be part of the Victoria social media community, one of most connected and progressive cities in Canada.

Here are a few of the highlights…

Personal

• Driving down the Pacific Coast to Los Angeles with my family. Playing with the kids on the beaches from Washington to California.
• Our family surfing lesson in Tofino
• Seeing my daughter play with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra
• Riding the Tour de Victoria (my first grand fondo)
• Our trip to Australia where I sit right now writing this blog post

Business

• Pulling off our second Social Media Camp and first Social Media Awards
• Expanding SMC into one-day workshops in cities across British Columbia
• Working on some amazing projects with some awesome clients and partners
• Took part in another awesome Twestival with a group of amazing people
• Doubled my number of speaking gigs over 2010

What I learned in 2011

• If I set me mind to a thing and stay focused, amazing things can be achieved
• There is still a ton of opportunity out there – for bWEST, for SMC and for all the clients I have yet to meet (at one point I thought social media would peak, now I know it will continue to grow and evolve)
• Email is still an incredibly effective marketing tool – this was a reaffirmation actually
• Go with my gut instinct, it’s usually right
• Don’t worry, be happy – it actually works
• Sometimes taking a break can be more productive than continuing to work. A long walk or bike ride can generate the most amazing ideas or bring clarity to a situation

What I hope to achieve in 2012

Personal

• Ride in the Tour de Victoria again but this time do the 140km ride
• Spend a month in Tofino this summer. It’s a great place to live, work and play
• Maintain what I think is a good work / family balance (I’ll have to check to see if my wife agrees…)
• Run in at least one event, probably the TC10K
• Continue to have fun with my family and eat dinner together almost every night…

Business

• Do more speaking on social media – particularly outside of BC
• Put on the most awesome SMC yet
• Continue to build SMC’s suite of offerings and expand to more cities across Canada
• Doing lots of Social Media Training through my new partnership with the awesome folks at Sector Learning
• Continue to build the bWEST business in strategic areas
• Launch one other project (which I’m working on right now – literally)

What were your highlights from the year of the rabbit – we’d luv to hear from you in the comments box below.