Today is a special day for many people working and being passionate about Microsoft technology, in everything from deep tech, security to communication, adoption and change management. Today Microsoft will notify current MVP’s (Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals), if they have been renewed as MVPs for another year.
What is the fuss about you might ask?
🏅For MVPs it means first of all a recognition, respect and acknowledgement of all the effort and contributions they have provided to the community, outside of their regular work day/responsibilities – basically a big pat on the back for great sharing and inspiration.
It also means:
🦸🏽♀️🦸🏽♂️🦸🏽Access to the Microsoft Product Group and other MVPs around the world, in different forums and networks. This is a place, and a fantastic environment to share and discuss subject matter, expertise areas, new releases, give feedback and challenge Microsoft on what is working out there in the real world, and get some insights and early information about what is coming, in order to be prepared and support the community further. It is a great partnership between Microsoft product engineers, the MVPs, as well as the larger communities.
🌉We are building the bridges between people and tech – together.
👩🏽💻👨🏽💻🧑🏽💻Access to tech tools, demo environments and early release testing/feedback opportunities
🎁A swag package – I do love our Microsoft MVP swags! It’s like a birthday present with lovely Microsoft surprises
🧭It is for me, an equally important part, a way to show others that it is possible, to be a role model and for me to nominate other people in the community. People that I see share of their knowledge and expertise, who has a passion for technology and how this can make the world a better place.
💗I have not become an MVP only because of myself, I am an MVP because others have seen what I have done, and they have nominated me, allowed me to take initiatives and joined me on my quests, given me opportunities to speak at conferences or meetups, cheered me on and most importantly I have learnt from so many wonderful people along the way – I am forever grateful. Which again makes me mindful to keep the door open behind me, and make sure that everybody I can see are given the same chances that I got.
As my colleague Ståle Hansen always says; you are an MVP before you become one. If you want to become an MVP because of the badge, then you are missing the target…
❤️🔥An MVP is a person passionate about the subject of interest, and whom in addition to their everyday work, use their free time, and without getting paid, to write blogs, to mentor others, to speak at conferences and meetups, to write books, to make videos, to run podcasts, and all the different types of contributions that feels natural for them.
You might do these activities to earn the badge, however, if you don’t have your heart in it and a passion for it, you will burn out, and it is not fun anymore. The MVPs that lasts they have a burning desire to share knowledge and insights with others, and just can’t help themselves for sharing.
⌛At the same time, it is time, and effort, demanding and you might sacrifice some other free time activities to be part of it. Sometimes you want to do other things in life too, and sometimes there are so much else going on that you don’t get the spark to write that blog or travel to a conference. No matter how we turn it around, we have 24 hours to the day, the difference is only how we spend it. To not contribute that much is of course all good and it is perfectly fine to take a break and you might not get a renewal of the MVP award every year. Your contributions are not less worth and for the community they can still read what you share, or listen to your sessions. 🧘🏽♀️
As there are many MVPs, several are going beyond what people are willing or able to do in a certain time span, and perhaps others haven’t been able to contribute as much, or within their MVP area, as their focus might have shifted through the year, then not all MVPs are renewed. They might feel sad about this. If you haven’t been renewed this year, remember you are still an MVP at heart, and you get a new chance next year, look at this as a little break and perhaps a time to consider focus area or change direction, or perhaps this was what you needed to get that spark going again. Do what is right for you! 👍🏽😉
 | 🤗✨👏🏽I give a huge CONGRATULATIONS to all MVPs that have been renewed! And, a huge and warm hug to all who have and not have been renewed! I hope to see you at a conference and/or community meetup somewhere during the year to come! And, an equally huge and warm thank you to everyone who have supported and cheered me on! 🙏🏽 |
🌞🌊🏄🏽♀️Take good care, stay safe and give yourself a happy summer! ⛵🏝️🏕️
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
And PS! If you happen to come by my part of the world, please let me know, and I’ll put the kettle on! 🧁☕🫖🍵