Justin Kozuch

I learned that hustle is important, but taking a break and spending time with family is more important. Family is everything, and in the end, they are the ones that will stick by you no matter what.

I learned to trust my instincts. Always. If something feels strange, act on it. There’s a certain type of poetic logic behind the saying “Trust your gut”. The voice inside your head is there for a good reason.

I learned that there is a BIG difference between management and leadership. Management is a task, an activity, something that people do because that’s what they’re required to do. Leadership is a quality. It can’t be taught, it can’t be passed down, it’s not genetic. You’re either a leader, or you’re not.

I learned that I’d rather have a few strong advocates than a few hundred or even a few thousand friends. The concept of strength in numbers only applies to the military. I think it’s not about who you know, or what you know, but how strong those bonds are. And more importantly, it’s about how care for those advocates.

I learned that there’s no problem that cannot be solved by taking a few minutes to talk it through. Removing yourself from the equation is often the solution to a tricky problem.

I learned that leaping before looking is not always a bad thing. The great thing about this is that you will inevitably find yourself doing something you absolutely love. And if you don’t, then you’ve taken an important step in figuring what you want to do.

I’ve learned that questioning what you do is an important part of figuring out your career path. On occasion, I’ve questioned if what I’m doing makes me happy. Sometimes it’s yes, sometimes it’s no. Regardless of how I feel about what I do, I’ve realized that if I can help someone, I’m doing the right thing.

I learned that bad days happen to everyone. They’re a part of life. It’s what you do with them, what you learn from them, and how you deal with them that matters the most.

I learned that relationships are like plants. You invest in them, you take care of them, you nurture them and you give them the attention they deserve. Without healthy relationships, you’ll be unhappy, unproductive and be left feeling unsatisfied.

I learned how to learn. Not just from the signals that came from within, but to listen to the signals being emitted from others.

I learned to listen instead of just hearing. Silence is golden and is often rewarded with real understanding.

I learned that there will always be those who will detract you from your goals, that there will always be those who are jealous, or spiteful, or will do everything they can to discredit you. I learned that they don’t matter.

I learned that just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Just because someone else is doing something, doesn’t mean you should. If it doesn’t fit with your business or personal objectives, then you probably shouldn’t do it.

I learned that it’s OK to say no. Sometimes, you need time to focus on what makes you happy. Sometimes, you need to stand your ground. Sometimes, you need to be more vocal about a bad idea. There’s no shame in not being part of the masses.

I learned that it’s OK to be an introvert. Sometimes being that person who stands back and watches the crowd is an important part of understanding the dynamics of professional relationships.

What did you learn in 2011?