2025, A Year to Hone in on Quality

As I reflect on 2024, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Last year was filled with milestones that were once only dreams: launching 3 Magazine, running my third marathon, delivering a keynote speech at the Conference Board of Canada, and the launch of my book, Between Borders, Beyond Boundaries. On top of all that, The Globe and Mail recognized my company, Computek College, as one of the fastest-growing companies in Canada.

Computek College’s recognition by The Globe and Mail isn’t just about financial growth but the journey to get there. Our regulated career college stands out because it doesn’t primarily focus on international students. Instead, we’re dedicated to helping permanent residents, new Canadians, and new Ontarians find the right employment partners and gain the skills to secure meaningful work. This value-driven success is deeply important to me, and the acknowledgment of this impact was truly humbling to all the hard work my colleagues and I have put in over the past decade, especially on the 10th anniversary since I purchased the company.

While my word and focus for 2024 was relationships—deepening connections with the people and communities I cherish—as I look ahead to 2025, my word for the year is quality. How can I elevate everything I’ve accomplished over the past years? How can I go deeper, be more intentional, and create a lasting impact in the areas that matter most to me?

As I reflect on clearly defining my goals for the year and setting actions to achieve them, I always like to compartmentalise my focus into three areas: mind, body, and soul. For each area, I’ve outlined three key goals I aim to accomplish this year.

Quality in Mind

The mind plays a crucial role in my business dealings, and this year, it is an essential focus in my personal and professional growth.

1. Leadership Development: How I led when I started my business in Canada 10 years ago vastly differs from how I lead today. I now have the responsibility of overseeing 150 staff across media, education, and international ventures. My role has significantly evolved and will continue to evolve, and so must my leadership skills. This year, I am committed to learning, staying curious, and building on my strengths to take my team and myself to the next level.
2. Strategic Acquisitions: Diversity—not just in ethnic origin but also in age, experiences, and perspectives—has been a defining element of our success. This secret sauce has been our differentiator. I want to expand our impact by further diversifying and acquiring businesses in education or media that align with 369 Global’s values and mission.
3. Learning a New Language: In January, I’ll begin learning a new language (which language is a secret for now). Language learning is not just a skill and opportunity to strengthen your brain but a fantastic bridge to understanding new cultures and perspectives. I’m eager to embark on this journey this year.

Quality in Body

Physical fitness has always been important to me, and in 2025, I want to focus on consistency and variety:

1. Half Marathons: After completing three full marathons for this year, I’ve decided to shift to completing multiple half marathons throughout the year. I hope this approach will motivate me and maintain my fitness year-round.
2. Strength Training: Everyone tells me that weightlifting becomes essential for maintaining muscle mass once you hit your 40s. Last year, I wasn’t as consistent with weight training as I hoped to be. This year, I’m making this a priority to complement my running routine.
3. Golf: Golf has become a passion of mine, and I’m also introducing my kids to the sport. It’s not just about the game; it’s about spending time outdoors, fostering conversation, building lasting connections and memories with my children, and hopefully enjoying a pastime we can share as they grow.

Quality in Soul

This year, I’m tuning into my family and spirituality to nurture my soul:

1. Family: Relationships were my theme for 2024; family remains at the heart of everything I do. As my kids grow, I’m increasingly mindful of the environment they’re exposed to and the values they’re absorbing. As I get older, I realize I am responsible for carrying forward family traditions and ensuring that positive influences surround my children.
2. Prayer and Spiritual Exploration: Throughout my upbringing, I was exposed to various spiritual traditions. My family practices Hinduism, I went to a Jesuit Catholic school, and Islam was the predominant religion in the countries where I lived for over a decade. I want to deepen my spiritual journey this year and share my beliefs and values with my family.
3. Intentional Parenting: My children are growing up so quickly. While I have many ambitions, spending quality time with them is non-negotiable. By setting aside dedicated dates in my calendar, I’m committing to being fully present in their lives and creating memories that I hope will last a lifetime for us.

As I set my intentions for 2025, the overarching theme of quality will guide me in every aspect of my life. Whether it’s honing my leadership skills, exploring new opportunities, maintaining my physical health, or nurturing my soul through my family and spirituality, my goal is to dig deeper and create a meaningful impact.

I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your journey and identify opportunities for growth—whether it’s with your mind, body, or soul. Every step, no matter how big or small, matters. Growth can be a deeply enriching experience, though it often comes with challenges. Yet, it’s through these challenges that we elevate ourselves and uncover new layers of who we are. I hope you find the courage to take a step toward growth, embrace the journey, and discover more about yourself, whatever that process may look like for you.

Here’s to a year of intentional growth, deeper connections, and unwavering focus on what truly matters.