We're launching into a new year and there are lots of "looking into the future" articles out there. Personally, I'm pretty jazzed for the coming year for any number of reasons (can you say "SQL Server 2022"?). However, I also get a little retrospective at times like this.

Now, I'm not going to talk about the preceding year. Yeah, it had its challenges. Nah, I'm thinking a bit broader. I just think it's interesting where our life choices take us. In 2005, I was bummed because, at my very first PASS Summit, I couldn't get into the SQL Server Central party because I didn't register ahead of time. Today, I'm putting together this editorial which I'm going to attach to the Database Weekly mailing, all with admin privileges on SQL Server Central. Now that, my friends, is a journey.

It's all about the choices we make. I never, in any way, set out to be an admin on SQL Server Central. It's the result of a number of other choices, where I did, with intent, try to make certain things happen. For example, I got my job at Redgate because I went to them and asked for it. The results are what we're looking at today.

You may set out with one goal, and achieve, other, equally good things. Just make sure you're striving towards something.

Anyone else found themselves in places they would never have expected?