Roger Lajoie operates Triumph Sports Communications, a leader in providing editorial, broadcast and public relations services.

Roger's weekly sports column "The Rog's Rant" is now available here every Monday.

The Rog's Rant

Every year is a good year to grow – especially 2008

Some people use the start of a new year to review their progress, make some new plans and launch a new project or two.

I’m a little different I suppose. I am reviewing my progress, making new plans and launching new projects all the time. I get a kick when people asking me how many jobs I have, since I’m always so busy.

The correct answer is none. When you love what you do there is no line between work and play – my personal motto has always been that my work is my play. That makes me one very, very lucky guy for sure but really, anybody can make that choice if they really want to.

I am a busy guy to be sure, but I thought I would use my final Rant of 2007 to tell you that I have no plans to slow down in 2008. In fact, I’m about to get a whole lot busier.

2008 will be a vital and important year for Triumph Sports Communications, which is a fancy way of saying it will be an important year for me. I have several new and exciting ventures on the go and these ventures were made possible by the support I’ve been given by the many great people I have worked for and with over the past few years, and by the many terrific people who have taken the time to read, listen to, or watch my work in the 28 years I’ve been in this business.

I thank every single one of them.

2008 will mark the publication of my first book, a biography of my great friend and long-time hockey executive Jimmy Devellano. Wiley Publishing, one of the country’s finest publishers, will be publishing our work in their fall catalogue which I am thrilled about.

I am hopeful of doing several more books in the coming years, as I just see that as a natural progression for me at this stage of my career. I am working on several more even while the first one goes through its final stages, so I’m really looking forward to future opportunities in that field.

Teaching is something that I have always had an interest in for a couple of reasons. First, after slugging through 28 years in the business, I think I can pass on a little bit of wisdom to young people starting out – and I love to be around young people, because they keep me young too.

Second, I think the best way to learn material yourself is to teach it. Teaching what I have learned is only going to reinforce to me what I need to do to keep being successful as well, so it’s win-win. I don’t think people should stop working to teach -. I think people should keep working and teach when they can, because that way they are current and connected.

There’s an old saying that those that can’t do, teach. That may or may not be true in some cases, but in my case I’m still “doing” a lot while I help out at the newly launched College of Sports Media (visit their website www.collegeofsportsmedia.com for more information.

I have used this website to promote my various ventures for several years now thanks to the outstanding work of my webmaster Mike Tooley and that will continue. So will my excellent relationships with the people and companies I work for now.

But 2008 will be a year in which my work is always evolving and developing in new and exciting ways – just like every new year is for me.

I hope it is for you too. Make your work your play – it’s not easy to do for many people, but you can do it. That is my wish for you in 2008 and beyond.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me over the years and especially to those who I’ve worked with – may 2008 show us that the best is yet to be.

Happy New Year everybody!

Comments The Rant of November 26 on the Grey Cup:

“I just couldn’t get into the Grey Cup. I’m in my early 30s and the CFL just never connected with me – I didn’t even watch the game” – Steve in Toronto

“Just wait until the Buffalo Bills start playing games here next year and see how many people are following the Argos then. They are going to get swallowed up” – Chris in Oshawa

Email your comments to therog@rogerlajoie.com

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