Reflections: 2019 Edition

**I sent this out to my subscribers across all my networks at the end of 2019. Due to the positive responses I'm putting this out there on LinkedIn and hope you can take something from them as well!

If you'd like to receive any future messages from me you can click here**

These Reflections will be reaching everyone that had an interaction with me to the present day. Across my networks, speaking audiences, those with Kozee, qBotica, Orenda, and more. Even though many people will receive this message, (and it's going to nine different countries), I hope we find a way to stay in touch as we grow in this life together. And if we haven't had a chance to meet in person I hope to connect with you more. 

2019 was a whirlwind of a year. Quite possibly the most challenging and yet the most fulfilling year that I can recall. Imagine eating something you dislike at first but then over time you find the most tasty goodness in the middle. That's what last year was like for me. On the outside, I sometimes couldn't believe I was challenging myself the way I was, but I realized the more I toughed it out and chewed on, all of the small rewarding goodness started revealing itself.

So for this year, and every year after, I'll be publishing my Reflections on the previous year and share with you some of my personal thoughts. As Thomas Paine said "The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection."

I hope you find a nugget of inspiration in these reflections, or at the very least it helps you reflect a little bit more on your year, or on your self as well.

Here we go!

1. Incredible people still exist, you just have to keep finding them. 

I had the opportunity to meet some more incredible people in 2019. It's very rare to meet people who think like you and really want to make the world a better place. I'm fortunate to have met quite a few people like this but last year really stands out. A couple key relationships have shifted my perspective and my outlook completely. You know who you are and I appreciate you. I have big goals and like to think a little differently so it feels really good knowing there are other people who are like that and can relate with you on a deeper level. I've also been able to elevate a few existing relationships which has me very excited about the future. Just really confirms my belief that if you put yourself out there, good things can come. Be a treasure hunter of amazing people.

2. Having a child changes everything, but it makes me happier.

I love being a Dad and family man. Probably one of my most favorite things in the world. We're now responsible for another human (other than Plato who's more human than dog in most cases). Being a parent certainly comes with its fair share of challenges, ups, "oh my goodness this just happened to me" moments and having to sacrifice a few things. We're a busy and working family so balance and routine is essential to us. But now that our (beautiful, intelligent, and funny) daughter is two, and can say things like, "thank you Daddy/Mommy", "Of course!", or "Good boy Plato", she's starting to blossom into a real human being. It didn't really hit me as much when she was born, and even when she was one year old...but last year it really hit me, "Wow we have another human being in this house". It's wonderfully rewarding. We are also very lucky that she has an amazing Mom, so that just makes everything all the better.

Here's a pic of our little unit...

  3. Creating and launching a startup is certainly challenging, but also very rewarding.

Whew, creating a startup and THEN getting it off the ground is a league of its own. Founding, developing and soft launching Kozee, flying to different cities/countries, meeting with investors, networking, and working with all kinds of individuals (and more), is exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. But, the experience hands down has been the most incredible by far. I'm lucky that a lot of my previous networking is proving fruitful. I've also been meeting some amazing individuals in the industry, as well as having fantastic advisers and people who believe in me and our mission to make people's lives easier. Last year really made me realize why startups are cut out only for the few, and definitely not for everyone. They take a lot of work, extreme organization and everyday hustle. God bless my wife's heart for being a great spectator to everything and her ultimate support. This year is looking very promising all across the board!

4. There's still a lot of unconscious (and conscious) bias out there.

While unfortunate, it’s true. Yes, this one isn't all rainbows and happiness, but the good thing is we can still do something about it. There are unfortunately still individuals who are unaware in this day and age that find it hard to grasp that just because you're different, it does NOT mean you're incapable. Sure, I can speak and communicate with my hearing loss, but people still have their unconscious judgments. Since I've experienced this often, it's pretty easy and apparent to see. It's actually sometimes comical (is this person for real?), but at the end of the day it's disappointing, and I actually feel bad for them and their ignorance. So this year, and thereafter, I'm committing to a mission to raise more awareness and let people know, just because you're different, you can still make a difference...and a big one. I'm also instilling values in my companies to improve people's awareness in general across industries and ages with diversity and inclusion. Being involved with the DLA is just only one small example. People with different abilities and backgrounds need an experienced and leading voice - and since I have one, I'll be one. So if you ever feel different or want to make a difference, I'm in your corner and I expect you to help me do something about it.

5. My family unit is the most important thing.

Starting a family of our own has made me realize this even more. Last year was definitely a learning year for our family and we are certainly understanding and learning daily how to balance everything and our obligations. Our family is all over the country so it's hard for us to stay in touch and visit all the time. But thanks to technology, we're doing our best to stay connected. No family is ever perfect but family is always family. As long as you find and talk to those that matter and want to spend time with you, the love will be there. I've also found it very interesting that some people who aren't related to us can sometimes feel like family, which is awesome and feels amazing. You know who you are and we're grateful for you. This year I'm focused on building our little unit and watching our daughter (who's growing way too fast) flourish, and MAYBE see another human come into this world with us :)

6. Technology breakthroughs have only just begun.

Being in the world of technology more so than ever has my mind blown on what's coming. Even some of the things that we see now is pretty incredible. We have not even scratched the surface on possibilities, but with the beginnings of artificial intelligence, machine learning and more, there's a huge future. I attended a few conferences last year that were shocking, exhilarating and eye-opening. Thankfully, my time is spent doing all we can enhancing human lives and their companies. I'm always looking for and inventing ways to make the human experiences easier (Kozee), and work life more meaningful (qBotica). Technology has improved my quality of life a hundred fold. For example, as I'm profoundly deaf in both ears - a lot of people ask me how I speak on the phone. For the past year or so, I've used artificial intelligence that transcribes all my calls, and it fills all the gaps for me. It's fantastic and has improved the quality of my ability to communicate with others. No matter what year it is or what the latest gadget is, - communication is essential to connection and growth. I'm happy I can participate in that to some degree.

7. I challenged myself much more.

I pushed myself more mentally and physically. I stretched myself more mentally by taking on a little bit more, having more clients and helping more people elevate their businesses and life. I agreed to keep teaching and learned as much as I could about being the CEO of a startup while navigating the oftentimes treacherous waters of startup life. I challenged myself physically by doing a 70 mile bike race (crazy and thanks Anthony and Gabi!), and cycling over 200 miles in 100 degree heat in a short time as possible. I'll be looking for more challenging things this year because when I push myself, things seem to be better around me. You should too.

8. I learned to be more trusting.

One of my close friends and advisers really woke me up early last year when I met with them. They mentioned that it took an unusually longer time for me to trust certain people. I thought about this for a very long time and really racked my brain because I thought I was pretty trusting. It was true, it was generally very hard for me to trust people because I've been let down so many times. I've been rejected, bullied, and betrayed many times. So last year I made a resolution to be more trusting and to let go of the fear of being let down. Lo and behold, I got let down in the middle of the year big time with someone close, but it made me stronger and now my experience tank is overflowing. So in other words it was a great teacher and I'll still be trusting people, regardless of what happens. Thank you friend.

9. I stayed focused on what mattered.

Remember about those great people in my life I mentioned? Yes, they helped me stay focused (looking at you Wife of The Year), and I focused on what mattered. Honestly though, and I'm sure you can relate - it's really challenging to do at times, but focus is absolutely critical to succeed in pretty much anything. Although it wasn't always perfect, I thought about focusing on what I could and can control many times throughout the year, and to take advantage of opportunities before they unfold. Thankfully, I learned to pay attention to people and really watch their energy and non-verbal language and expressions (I work really hard at this). I then decided to attach myself to good energy and detach from bad energy. This made my year incredible and I'll be doing this much much more. I hope you do the same thing.

10. I'm wonderfully lucky.

I wake up most days feeling very grateful. Sometimes Plato will jump in bed (Ok he does that a lot), then Stella will wake up and then we're all together. During the week it's chaos usually in the mornings but on a weekend morning with no rushing or agenda, we really cherish those moments together. We can enjoy our coffee, talk to each other and make fun plans together. I sometimes think to myself, "this is it, it's what I've always wanted, and much more is coming." I know there'll be challenges, more happy times and most likely some tough times. But most of all, I love my family, the people in my life and the increasing opportunities that are ahead.

Thanks for reading. Hopefully you've had some time to reflect and think about your year and the year to come. As I'm wrapping this up, Stella is sitting on my lap helping me click send (my future coder/tech whiz) :)

Have a great 2020!

To your best self this year - and more,

Dominic