Like most of you, I learned a great deal from 2016.

1. January: It's alright to be both ambitious and hold a sense of contentment. It was around this time that I really began to notice how and why folks in my profession develop followings in their television markets—I've long held the belief that sports coverage in the context of local news promotes pride, catharsis, and entertainment. I have my career goals, and was never under contract in Minnesota, but enjoying the ride is just as important is keeping your eyes on the destination.
2. February: The company you keep will influence your life. Case in point: folks who have to tell you they don't like drama in their lives are the ones directly responsible for 96% of their own problems (and yours, if you let them). The fear of loneliness is both real and valid, but just because your time is requested doesn't mean you have to grant it—on the other hand, don't keep offering your valuable time to anyone who disrespects it or doesn't want it. You can afford to be a little selfish. That said, keeping surrounded by similarly-minded people will elevate your game. You may not be focused on the same goals, but you can always stand to learn from those with comparable (or even superior) skills and drive.
3. March: March was all about business—multiple lessons here.
   1. Job interviews are a two-way street.
   2. Being observant is an excellent skill to have.
   3. Always reach for more, and don't ever think you're punching above your weight. The worst that can happen in a negotiation is a "no" or a counter.
   4. Just like in other areas of life, your willingness to walk away will always be tested most strongly in the final hour. Know what you want, and know what you're willing to accept.
   5. You're always exactly where you're meant to be, and it's your job to see the signs and learn what you're meant to learn.
4. April: When thrown into the deep end of the pool, you swim. There is no sinking option. Your will has to be constantly strengthened such that once you're left in the wilderness, your survival odds are at their greatest.
5. May: Be willing to learn, but also be willing to stand up for yourself. This is a marker of self-confidence. Criticism can be constructive. Criticism can also be flat-out wrong. Usually it's best to listen to those who hold you accountable, but you also have the responsibility to yourself to hold them accountable—only the general public is allowed its baseless claims.
6. June: Be flexible. You'll encounter situations you want nothing to do with, and the only way out is through. Accept these as personal challenges, and deal with them accordingly (read: as masterfully as you do everything else). You'll be better for it 99% of the time (and it's now a new line item on your résumé).
7. July: Go for it. Push the boundaries of your abilities. Don't worry too much about being taken seriously. If you don't truly love what you're doing at any given moment, it will show.
8. August: You may be born to lead and forge your own path, but if you can't yield and follow, you're dead in the water. There is never anything wrong with following if it gets you closer to your end game.
9. September: Trust yourself. Much of what I learned this year centered around confidence. Believe (and back it up) that you're capable of accomplishing everything set before you, and you'll begin surprising yourself a little.
10. October: Don't be afraid to go it alone in life (I never am, but this month reaffirmed this lesson). The solitude gives you time to listen to your heart.
11. November: Any time you get a chance to truly open your heart, take it. No matter how it ends (or if it doesn't), you'll get a unique fulfillment in knowing you have the ability to fit someone else into your life. Should it be fleeting, take your time to nurse the wounds, let it go, hop back on that horse, and keep moving. Overall, don't ever have any regrets.
12. December: When it feels like you've reached maximum potential, take an extra step. Try something different. Break out of the safe harbor of the familiar. In my case, taking the extra step meant injecting humor, extra personality, and a level of flair that I might have originally thought was over-the-top (it isn't).

Above all, the biggest lesson I learned in 2016 was to always trust my gut. After leaving a great first job in Duluth, MN, and moving to Charleston, WV, I'm closer to home. Let me tell you—getting home is a blessing whenever you can swing it. You can recharge in the comfortable, decompress and, when you're ready, return to your life with new focus.

2016 was good, personally speaking. 2017 will be, too. I'm trusting my gut on that.