It’s been a hell of a year. Before the start of the New Year I often take stock of the current year. I think it’s important to reflect on what you’ve learned, otherwise you’ll simply make the same mistakes. 2010 was an interesting year. I think the overall theme was humbled. When I add up everything I experienced, everything I’ve learned, it all rolls up to that magic word. I could wax on and on about the definition of humbled and how it applies to the last 12 months, but I’ll spare you the philosophy and get right to everything I’ve learned.

1. Pork bellies are to die for
2. Social media is creating mobs reminiscent of ancient Rome
3. Never under-estimate the impact, power and influence Facebook has on your own relationships
4. I can live without “stuff” – I think we accumulate too much stuff unnecessarily, it’s amazing how little you can get by on
5. I love my car, it loves me and it’s just that simple
6. People who have dogs are a little bit crazy; nod your head, accept it and move on – we’re all a little crazy
7. White plates aren’t boring, they’re pretty cool
8. The world and people are fickle. One minute your up, the next minute your down.
9. As Sinatra said, “some people get their kicks stomping on a dream”
10. Sweet tea is great; I sometimes wish I lived in the south so I can have it every day
11. Business class isn’t worth paying for
12. Music is more important to me than I ever thought it was or it could be
13. If it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make sense
14. Don’t sweat the small stuff; it ain’t worth it
15. Accept that flights will be delayed and/or canceled; it happens
16. When you see the red flags, stop and reconsider
17. Abide by Gladwell’s “Blink” concept
18. Blood is thicker than water; never under-estimate the influence parents have
19. Quality over quantity
20. There’s red wine out there I can enjoy
21. As the Godfather said, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer
22. Try as I might, I still have no love for fish
23. Kids can make you feel old and young at the same time
24. Take chances, take risks and embrace failure
25. I still believe in the idea of the grand gesture, despite seeing it backfire 3 times this year
26. You can’t expect people to live up to the expectations you place upon yourself; we’re all different
27. I’m addicted to Hot Chocolate – the best is from Peet’s Coffee
28. Forever isn’t forever, it for as long as you make it
29. You can leverage customer service as great marketing; see Southwest
30. 10 year old+ Crystal Pepsi is not tasty at all
31. Apparently, I notice people’s teeth first; it’s made me more aware of my own teeth
32. In the first 5 minutes people will tell you their 3 most important “things”
33. Virtual connections are great, but real ones are better
34. I’m not a fan of makeup on women – just not, sorry
35. My feet have gotten bigger or shoes sizes are skewing smaller – either way, I gained a half size
36. Live concerts are amazing; there is no comparison
37. My ex-wife is an amazing mother and friend.  We should all be so lucky to have such great divorces.  Every time I see my kids I see the impact she makes on them every day.
38. “Change The Game” is an over used marketing goal/strategy and/or tagline
39. CraigsList amazes me – so easy to use, so effective
40. You’re not as important as you think you are; people move on really quick and you’re easily forgotten
41. Cell phones are cheaply made – I’ve broken two this year, one by dropping and one from some water
42. Being stubborn doesn’t help anyone, least of all, yourself
43. Make the little things, the big things
44. You can never have enough cabinet space in your kitchen
45. eMail, texting, chatting and other forms of digital communication are crippling us – make more time for face time
46. What’s in the box matters…
47. I’m a great dad, but I can still be better
48. You’ll meet new and amazing people when you least expect it
49. It takes two; you can only control your own destiny to a point
50. I was wrong about the iPad. It’s quickly becoming the killer device.
51. I was right about Android; the walled garden Apple offers won’t be able to compete
52. It’s not about who you are or where you are; it’s about who you’re with
53. I don’t know as much as I thought I did

So there it is. 2010 was a year of ups and downs, highs and lows and at times was like a roller coaster. I’m looking forward to applying everything I learned in 2010 to 2011. I have a feeling 2011 is going to be pretty kick ass.