Brad Rourke's Blog

It’s the last day of the year. Like many others, I am thinking back on how it went.

Like Seth Godin, I am focusing on what I accomplished. While my sensations and experiences as I went through 2010 were mixed (there were times when it felt very hard), when I look objectively at all that got done, I am pleased with all that I was able to complete and ship.

What Got Shipped

Here, in reverse chronological order, and a mixture of professional as well as personal, are the highlights of my year:

• Designed, developed, drafted, and completed the first-ever Maryland Civic Health Index.
• Researched and wrote a Case Foundation report on promoting innovation in the Federal government.
• Shifted the hyperlocal blog I founded and co-manage, Rockville Central, into a for-profit concern and began accepting ads.
• Again with Rockville Central, joined up with the TBD network.
• Took on a new role with the Kettering Foundation as Executive Editor of their issue book series, and developed new mechanisms for training writers in writing materials for public deliberation.
• Completed the P90X fitness program.
• Researched and wrote a significant report on the history of the Federal government’s approach to civic engagement and philanthropy for PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement). This paper resulted in a conference held at the Newseum where I made some framing remarks.
• Researched and wrote a new issue guide for the Kettering Foundation and the National Issues Forums Institute on America’s Role In The World.
• Researched and wrote a new issue guide for the Kettering Foundation, the National Issues Forums Institute, and the Leadership Foundation to Keep Children Alcohol Free on the subject of underage drinking.
• Figured out how to run in Vibram Five Finger shoes — and shared some tips on it. (This remains the most popular post on my site.)
• Wrote and released an e-book on how to promote your blog on Twitter and Facebook.

I think there may be other items, but these are the main ones and I can honestly say I am happy with them.

My Message To You

That’s the “results” side of 2010. There’s another piece of 2010 that I count as one of the most significant developments. For many of us, 2010 was the year our online social interactions exploded. I know that, for myself, I am deeply grateful to everyone with whom I interact with (some of you on a daily basis) online.

This aspect of my daily life has been an important factor in improving the quality of my life.

And so, I have recorded this quick video which is my message to YOU.

Have a great 2011!