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. All my coping tips are under this tag.

Today’s tip is to give positive complements to as many people as you can today.

I do struggle with this tip when it’s come up. I do always feel good when I complement someone, but it’s not a habit for me. It ought to be, but it isn’t.

This is easy to do while coaching, at least for me, but outside of that it’s tough. When I saw this, I knew this would be a challenge.

I stared in yoga. I not only thanked the teacher (easy), but I complemented this guy in class that must be a gymnast. He can not only balance on his hands, but he can alternately touch his toes to the ground on his left and right and balance on one hand. Freaking amazing.

I also saw a former teacher in the hall, greeted her and let her know it was nice to see her and I miss her teaching (easy, but I had to think of it).

I told the guy at the petrol station he looked happy. Remembered to tell me wife she looked nice, and I took a moment to ask my son about his day and then give him a postive comment on a thing he’d done.

Not a bad day.

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. All my coping tips are under this tag.

Today’s tip is to call a friend to catch up and really listen to them.

I don’t love talking on the phone, and I usually avoid it. However, my fellow founder for SQL Server Central, Andy Warren, and I have talk almost every week, sometimes 2-3 times. We have done this for 20 years, and outside of my wife, he’s probably been the biggest influence on my life across that time.

I often use our calls as a way to unwind, the think, and to catch up on life. Sometimes we talk work, sometimes tech in general, sometimes life with kids, or maybe books we’ve enjoyed.

These calls with a friend are often highlights of my week.

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. All my coping tips are under this tag.

Today’s tip is to make uninterrupted time for your loved ones.

I try hard to do this, putting down my phone when I’m with family and paying attention. It doesn’t always work with the kids, but if I engage them, then it often does.

Recently my wife and I were supposed to go out with friends. The weather wasn’t great, and friends cancelled, but I still wanted some time with my wife. I had been out a couple hours earlier and I didn’t think the roads were bad. We’d gotten ready, so I convinced my wife to just go out with me.

We had a nice quiet dinner, no phones, just talking and enjoying a bottle of wine at a place we hadn’t been in a long time. It was quiet enjoyable.

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. All my coping tips are under this tag.

Today’s tip is to thank three people you feel grateful to and tell them why.

It’s always good to thank people that help you or make life better. It’s also really easy.

I’m picking three people that I think help me feel gratitude for them being in my life. I’ll send them my own notes, and these aren’t the only ones I am happy to have around, but these are three I wanted to thank.

First, I have a friend that I don’t see enough, mostly because I’m busy. However, we have lunch, sometimes ski, or get the families together for dinner. We’ve known each other for 20 years, and I appreciate every time I get to see him. He makes my life more joyful and pleasant.

Second, the director where I coach volleyball. A charismatic person who makes me think, teaches me things, and loves kids. I am very grateful I met him and he gave me opportunities to work with kids.

Third, someone in the community that provides a sounding board, educates me, and finds time to chat with me. I see this person all over the world at events, and I always enjoy the time we have to chat.