Tag: coping

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.

Today’s tip is to aim to be good enough, rather than perfect

This has often been how I’ve tackled my job. I do the best job I can, but I also need to get things done more so than constantly re-evaluating and refactoring something. My view has been that we can find time if this is important.

I know that can be a bad technique with regards to performance in code. Lots of issues in software can be traced to poor decisions that no one every makes a priority to fix. I’ve got more than a few of these in my past, and currently at SQLServerCentral.

However, what I want to do is to the best job I can with the information and knowledge I have. That also means that I need to adjust my habits and patterns as I learn more. It’s easy to fall back on old habits in a hurry, rather than actually using knowledge of how to do something better.

I am trying to do better there, but also trying to get things done which work, without berating myself for not making things perfect. Recently I had to put down baseboard trim (skirt boards) and some weren’t perfect with walls that had small concave and convex sections, and floors that weren’t level. I didn’t get perfection, and that was OK.

Plus, caulk and paint will fix some minor issues.

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.

Today’s tip is to avoid saying “I ought to” or “I should” to yourself.

My wife has reminded me of this for years, to avoid using “should” as it is a cognitive, or thinking, trap. I remember this every time I hear myself using should, either to others or to myself.

As a result, I’m working to either decide to do something, or to let it go. I might drop it on a list for later, but I’m trying hard to not say I should do something. Do it or don’t.

I’m better at this with home projects and chores. I don’t try to set myself up with an excuse. I’ll just tackle something or defer it with certainty.

I still have work to do here with my job. I have too many “I should do xx today” conversations with myself.

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.

Today’s tip is to notice the things you do well today, however small.

I live on a horse ranch, and there is never a shortage of work. While I do enjoy the break from sitting at a computer, I’m glad I don’t do that type of work every day. It’s hard, and gets harder on my body every year.

There’s something strangely satisfying by accomplishing a physical task well. I take a lot of pride in being able to build software or deliver a presentation online, but it feels ephemeral.

Shoveling a stall clean, or some other mindless task brings me a good sense of accomplishment. Yesterday, this was fixing fence. We have vinyl wires for horse fence, and those will break at times. It’s not hard to fix them, but it does take some attention to get a new line spliced in and tight.

I planned on fixing a couple spots I’d noticed while feeding Saturday and ended up finding 3 more. I think I did a good job, since my wife noticed the fence was whole

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.

Today’s tip is to plan a fun relaxing activity for this weekend.

Weekends have been quiet, but they’re getting busier. I have some fall chores and volleyball coaching keeping my busy this weekend. I also have some holiday next week, and I’ll do something those days.

For this weekend, I’m going to try and plan a night out with my wife, likely a socially distanced dinner, and maybe a walk along the river or local trail in our area. Something fun, easy, and without a lot of effort.

Date night is always a relaxing thing for me.