2008 was a very good year for me.   After graduating, with a bachelors in accounting, I went out into the real world and started working full time.  I also made it my goal to read a lot of books.  In total, I read over 50 finance related books.  My favorite was 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris.

I also had a chance to meet a lot of new people along the way.  Some of the things I will take from 2008 into 2009 are:

1) Always give it to your 100%. This is my motto from now until I die.  Everyone will appreciate the fact you work your ass off to get things done.  For example, my boss said, “Thanks for all the hard work.”  This meant more to me if he had instead given me a bonus.   He truly appreciates my work.  This is how it should be in anything you do.  You will not say down the road, “Only if I tried a little harder or worked a little harder.”

2) Life is too short. There is no point in being mad at someone or holding a grudge.  You never know what tomorrow will bring.  You should always try to live in the moment.

3) Network. Network. Network. The most important thing in life is who you know.  You do need expertise (it is important what you know) in an area but at the end of the day, the people you network will hook you up.  You never know who you will end up meeting and NEVER judge anyone but getting to know them.

4) Give back.  These two words are very powerful.  I believe in karma: what goes around, comes around.  This is why I made it my effort to help anyone I could.   It did not matter how small the favor was.  When you see a smile on the person’s face and they thank you, that is worth more than any money in this greedy society.

2008 would not have been possible without my family and friends.  Big ups to all of you.  You know who you are.  Let’s make 2009 even a better year.

Here is my question to you: What is one thing you are going to take from 2008?

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