Hello Dear Reader!  Two weeks ago I was very honored to be named a Microsoft SQL Server MVP.  Since then I've been reflecting on what it means to get this award and the massive amount of people that helped me along the way.

Family, co-workers, friends, community members, and other MVP's.  This could turn into an Emmy speech, but I won't put you through that.  In the past I've written about this and saying Thank You to the People That Get Us There, about Why You Should Go to SQL Saturday and the impact it had on me, and how Who You Work With helps push you in the right direction.  Before I move on from thanking people I need to say a big THANK YOU to the people who nominated me.

Mike Walsh (Blog | @Mike_Walsh), Jack Corbett (Blog | @Unclebiguns), Jorge Segarra (Blog | @SQLChicken), Adam Jorgensen (Blog | @AJBigData), and Jason Strate (Blog | @StrateSQL).  Gentlemen I thank you not only for nominating me, but giving me a seat at the table to begin with.  Through advice and conversations you immediately welcomed me.  I've always been humbled by the way in which smart men and women of the SQL Community open their arms not only to greet but assure newcomers that they deserve a voice and a seat at the table.   My friends Thank You.  Thank you for your faith in me.  Thank you for helping me get here, and for all the encouragement.

Jorge once said to me about three years ago, "You deserve a seat at this table, enjoy it and don't ever worry that you belong.".  Great and kind words my friend.

Now Dear Reader, I also want to pass along one incredibly important piece of advice that was given to me.  How to become a SQL Server MVP.

HOW TO BECOME A SQL SERVER MVP

I have no idea.   None.  Not a clue.  In conversations with all of these amazing folks, they had no idea either.  However, I did notice that I heard the same three pieces of advice repeated over and over again.

That feeling you get when you open the box

1.  Love what you do.

2.  Don't treat being an MVP as a goal, but something that happens along the way.

3.  When you get nominated fill out the website details, better start collecting them now.

LOVE WHAT YOU DO

I enjoy this.  I love presenting.  I love learning.  I love talking with people about their issues with SQL Server.  I really love when I know what's wrong with a system and can help fix it.  I've had telephone calls with clients in the past couple years where after hearing about five minutes of their problem I knew what the issue was.  I could start giving advice on the phone call, and by the time we were sharing screens or I was landing on the ground we were able to start working on a fix.  That is pure awesome.

Some people love to blog, some love volunteering, some are leaders that bring us together, some organize, some  troubleshoot on forums, some program amazing applications/scripts/videos to help the community, and some love to speak.  Whatever you are doing if you love doing it, then keep doing it.  You'll never feel like you wasted your time, and you will know you are doing things for the right reason.

IT'S NOT THE GOAL, IT'S THE JOURNEY

San Francisco Sunset with @JasonHorner

I'm paraphrasing Emerson.  It's no less true.  If I only get this one year, if I never would have gotten it, the journey of pursuing what I love to do has taken me places and allowed me to achieve things I had not even thought of.  I've criss crossed the U.S. this year and I'm looking forward to staying busy next year.

Keep in mind this didn't happen in one year.  Every journey begins with a step.  I encourage you to start your journey.  When I present at SQL Saturday's or SSUG's I tell the audience the same thing I hope you now hear Dear Reader.

In each of you there is a story to tell.  There is something you are doing right now at work that I, and other people, would love to know and hear about.  There are ideas you have that would be well received and applauded.  Get involved, volunteer, blog, present, find what it is that you want to do.  We all have a calling and I hope you find yours.  If I can do this so can you.

Remember, you deserve a seat at this table, enjoy it and don't ever worry that you belong.

Now grab your seat, let's have some fun.  As always Thanks for stopping by.

Thanks,

Brad