Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1327102
JANUARY 2021 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 77 • "Did you learn from any failures or shortcomings?" • "Did you treat others as you would like to be treated?" • "Did you live each and every day outside your comfort zone?" • Finally, here is a big one I started asking myself about 10 years ago: "Did you make a positive difference in someone's life?" After this deep self-assessment and self-eval- uation, I identify areas to improve and ways to evolve. Then I go after it, continually telling myself, "Steph, you can do better, so much bet- ter! There is always room for improvements! Attack each day as if it's your last and have no regrets as this year unfolds! Positive atti- tude is everything, even when things don't go as planned or as expected! Remember Steph, don't be afraid to fail, because being afraid in itself will cause a self-induced mental road- block to success." For PCEA, 2020 was our birth year, a year we will never forget, for many reasons. It was a year that unfolded with lots of challenges, especially with adapting, evolving into and incorporating our virtual existence in today's industry, due to COVID-19. Like many, PCEA adapted and overcame these challenges with much success. As we continue our positive momentum and successes in 2021, we take time to look back and review how PCEA came about, where we started, where we want to be and what it's going to take to get there, and how we will make it happen. It's similar to my yearly self-assessment, which has been very instructive for me. As a collective, we all agree that we'll continue striving to be and do better in all aspects of what PCEA stands for. Collaborate, inspire, and educate are at the core of our values and mission. For the good of the industry, PCEA will be even better at this in 2021. This is a year that we eagerly attack and do so much more, from years of lessons learned and feed- back from many within our industry. So, are these a form of New Year's resolutions? Are these goals? I'll let you decide. I personally challenge you to do your own self-assessment going into 2021. I also challenge you all to stay outside your comfort zone for personal growth and do whatever it takes to be and do better, as each of you chase your own defini- tion of success. I continue to wish each of you and your fam- ilies health and safety. Best of success to all as 2021 unfolds. Warmest regards, —Steph Next Month Just as it looked as though some new live printed circuit engineering events would be opening up—not so fast; 2021 will require from all of us an ounce of prevention in order to pound out the cure for new electronics jobs and technology. Help is on the way! PCEA is traveling at warp speed to feed our diverse electronics industry data in hopes this may lead us to mutate our thought process or at least provide us with antibodies to help ward off career stagnation. Upcoming Events Below is a list of upcoming event cultures which may lead you to mutate your thought process or at least provide you with antibodies to help you ward off career stagnation. • March 6–11: IPC APEX EXPO (virtual) • April 13–15, 2021: DesignCon (Santa Clara, California) • May 10–12, 2021: PCB East (Santa Clara, California) • May 11–13, 2021: IPC High-Reliability Forum 2021 (Baltimore, Maryland) • August 31–September 3, 2021: PCB West (Santa Clara, California) • November 10, 2021: PCB Carolina (Raleigh, North Carolina) Spread the word. If you have a significant electronics industry event that you would like to announce, please send me the details at kelly.dack.pcea@gmail.com, and we will con- sider adding it to the list.