Each year, there’s ample anticipation as I wait to see who will be chosen as members of the 40 Under 40 class.
Some years, a theme develops, whether it’s a trend of more honorees in a particular industry or several class members who support similar causes in the community.
Even after working in the news business for more than a decade, it’s always interesting that each class has some familiar faces as well as up-and-comers who’ve never crossed my radar.
And it never fails that every year, as I read the profiles of the honorees, there are plenty of lessons.
This year’s class is an interesting mix.
There’s solid representation from the design community but not so much so that there’s not room for professionals in other lines of work to be recognized.
There are honorees who haven’t yet hit 30 – much less 40 – as well as a few 39-year-olds who are hitting their professional strides.
This is not a group of people that sets much store in down time. With full professional schedules filled with such tasks as practicing law or medicine, keeping the community safe, advancing the wheels of commerce, and even, for one, climbing trees, these folks make time for supporting community causes they’re passionate about, sometimes synching their job duties with their civic roles.
They prove it possible to build a solid professional résumé without having to sacrifice helping others.
This also isn’t a group that’s satisfied with the status quo.
Already, the 40 Under 40 honorees have notched some significant accomplishments, but they give no indication of slowing down. They’re on the hunt for new opportunities, whether by pushing their skills professionally or lending assistance to yet another worthy cause.
The lesson: It’s never too late to set goals and reach for them – and there’s always more to be done.
As has often happened in the compilation of 40 Under 40 publications, I am inspired now to examine my own priorities, and perhaps you will be, too.
Please join me and the staff of SBJ Publishing Inc. in celebrating the accomplishments of the 2011 Class of 40 Under 40.[[In-content Ad]]
