I was once chatting with a close friend of mine while we were on a plane back to Beirut-Lebanon, coming from Seattle - US after having attended the MVP Global Summit 2008, about how i became a Microsoft MVP (Micosoft Most Valuable Professional) and how my life changed tremendously after that.
I looked Back around 6 years ago; i was mainly Jobless, i was a part time teacher in a technical institute and a Freelance Developer / Web & Graphic Designer; Big & Even Medium Corporations in Lebanon didn't even bother to read my Resume; (It was funny because i remember one year later, after i was giving a technical session around ASP.net at Microsoft's Premises as part of the .net Usergroup activities - LebDev.net, an IT Manager came to me asking if i knew and can recommend a Good Web Developer to work for his company; when i asked about the name of his Company.. i smiled big time because the same company rejected my resume and didn't bother to even interview me :o) )
But i had this one thing in mind that the only way to generate new ideas and incubate technical knowledge base in your head is by emptying what you already have in mind by giving them away & sharing them with others.. this would give more "space" for new data to be stored :P..
I then Started a path of knowledge Sharing in Online & Offline Contributions...
I discovered that what really make a difference in the community are the small things rather than the "big picture", the Tips & Tricks, the tiny details; your contribution may be few lines on how you can skip ONE step in a configuration or how you can Optimize ONE Line of Code... but believe it or not it really make a Big difference for someone else... and can make a great Impact...
Sharing even the Smallest Things, going to universities & talking to students about Technology, supporting online communities by sharing my thoughts & experiences, even when i didn't know the correct answers to what a Poster in an online forum wanted... i used to contribute by saying: "Try this... i hope it does the job for you..."
That experience built a new Character in my life; I was an average Technical guy, enthusiast & passionate about technology... but apparently i was more than that... i was being "watched" and my efforts were admired by the people who created "The Air I Breathed"... Microsoft..
Muhiedine Chaaban from Microsoft, who is now a good friend of mine and a Colleague who then considered me as one of the legends in web development and in ASP/ASP.net & one of the Top Technical Influencers in my Country, nominated me for the Award that Changed my Life...
1st of January 2005, i Received the MVP Award... The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Award...
Being an MVP gave me opportunities i only dreamed of; it gave me a secure pass to help & influence other people.. Whether it was a feedback on a bug in a product or an enhancement proposition... or a speaking engagement before 1000s of people; the recognition & title fuelled me with opportunities to meet new people & learn from them...
While i was traveling to MVP Summits, i had the chance to meet exceptional people, MVPs & Community Leaders from all over the world, some were the Legends who re-defined the community as we know it today like Scott Hanselman and some other people where i didn't even know where their country can be located on the MAP!!! ( not to mention how to spell it :o) )
and not to mention the ever lasting privilege and honor to meet the one person who's thoughts, ideas & vision where the fuel of my innovation... The Person whom i had a dream of meeting in person when i was still in School... The Exceptional Bill Gates... Thanks to the MVP Award... that Dream Came true in 2007!
My career did receive a Kick Start after that... i became the General Manager of HBPRO, one of the First Media Agencies with primary focus on the IT Sector in the Middle East & Africa... Few Years Later, i took a role in Microsoft... and here i am...
One Last thought... once you're an MVP... You're Always an MVP... you feel the power of 1000s of other MVPs in you.. The power of great minds & Top Contributors from all over the world in you... because you know they're always there for you.. and they're .... LIVING THE AWARD!!!
Cheers,
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A Clip from the MVP Gobal Summit 2008
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