Believe it or not, people have accused me of being excessively optimistic. And to be honest, it blew me away. Criticism for having faith in the future? In a world of pessimism, any amount of positive thinking could be considered excessive.

Granted, there is a lot I could be pessimistic about. Employment growth continues to be challenged. Interest rates are pressured. Health care costs continue to increase significantly. And, to top all off, we're all trying to make a living in an industry that's considered a mature market. So, then, why my optimism? 

I just see things differently. As 2014 unfolds, I envision an economy that continues to improve, with business owners willing to invest in their businesses, fueling a more robust scenario for job and wage growth. That translates into a growth opportunity for insurance sales, especially given the untapped employee benefits market. I say "untapped" because too many Americans still hold too little life insurance, most have little or no disability coverage, and high-deductible health plans are creating a need for gap insurance, like critical illness and accident insurance.