…has been a year unlike any other. The year my son was born.

10 months ago he arrived in this world and started crying because he had no idea what the bright lights were and he wasn’t as warm and protected as he had been.

This morning he cried because he wanted picked up out his high chair, so he could walk across the kitchen floor with me holding his hands, pick up a whisk from utensil cupboard, walk back to his high chair and continue eating a banana while holding his whisk.

It flies by and it changes everything. For someone like me that’s obsessed with communication I’ve learnt more about how it all works by watching him than all the years I spent in broadcasting.

Business wise I’ve enjoyed having the flexibility that comes with running my own company. This gave me time when I needed it most to be with my wife and Michael.

And even more so than previous years, I’ve loved the variety of work I’ve been involved with.

Social media training, voiceovers, media relations training, content creation and video production have kept me busy and introduced me to some brilliant businesses and people. The more I do, the more I learn and the more I enjoy it. The people I work with inspire me and keep me sharp. There’s a feeling within the digital and small business community of everyone being in it together. It’s a privilege for me to be part of it all and I hope it’s making me a better person.

My focus for 2013 is to build on all this. To stay hungry, to work smarter and to make more things happen. To create more ideas, refine them and execute the very best. I have a feeling of excitement – I’m not entirely sure what will happen, there are many possibilities.  But I’m rested and ready for whatever unfolds.

There’s a drive for excellence in this new digital world we’re living in. Those who ‘get it’ get much more than Facebook and Twitter. They get people. They get their own business. They get communication, excellent customer service, the opportunities that come as part of a knackered economy.

It all moves at a lighting pace and if you’re not getting up every single morning determined to give 100% of yourself then you’re sunk. Embracing change isn’t enough anymore. You need to lead and force it. Tear down the rules and barriers and hierarchies of the sector you’re in.

I’ve no idea what state any of us will be in come the end of 2013. But I do know it’s going to be one hell of a ride getting there.

Enjoy it and good luck.

CK