Tag: syndicated

  • Daily Coping 11 Jul 2022

    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 look back at the progress you’ve made at some goal or task.

    This was a surprise for me. It was something that just happened a few weeks ago.

    I’ve been practicing yoga for a decade or so. In that time, I’ve been listening to instructors call for knee-to-nose for years, never really thinking I could do it. I usually round my back and bring my knee in, but it’s never close to my nose.

    In fact, for years, I would squeeze my abs, but not really try or think I could touch my nose.

    Recently I made an effort and was surprised to feel my knee touch my nose. Just a light touch, but it was surprising.

    An amazing piece of progress that made me smile the rest of class and most of the day.

  • Daily Coping 8 Jul 2022

    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 be willing to ask for help when you need it.

    I struggle with this. I rarely ask for help, but when I added this tip to the list a month ago, I started to think about this on a more regular basis. I still don’t do this enough, but I got better.

    I was busy at work and asked someone else to handle something for me. In the past, I’d work longer hours and find a way to just handle the stress and workload. Thanks to my co-worker for helping out.

    I was putting in some fence recently and took a few minutes to ask a kid to help with the work. Again, I usually just work harder on my own.

    Same day, actually was tired (fencing in 90F/30C is hard) and asked another kid to cook dinner. They handled it.

    Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but it’s also not my default action, even when I need it. I’m learning to be better.

  • Daily Coping 7 Jul 2022

    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 adopt a growth mindset. Change “I can’t” into “I can’t yet”.

    I don’t say “I can’t” very often. I have not accepted my children saying it, and I don’t like hearing it from the kids I coach.

    That being said, I have felt at times that I can’t do something. Something breaks at SQL Server Central or SQL Saturday and I can’t fix it (or get it fixed). Kids don’t or won’t show up for practice.

    One thing on my mind right now is I can’t go to Japan. I mean, I could go, but tourism is still limited. It should change soon (or maybe has by now), but I don’t want to go on a tour group. I’m also busy. I’ve had 10 or 11 trips this year with 10 more coming, so I don’t have a place to add in another trip without creating stress.

    So I can’t go to Japan.

    Yet.

    I’ll plan on going next year or the following one with the family.

  • Honored to be a Microsoft MVP Again

    I was renewed this week as a Microsoft MVP. This is my 15th award in a row and each year this happens it is an honor to be recognized for helping others.

    2022-07-05 14_10_45-My Profile — Mozilla Firefox

    This is an award that Microsoft decides to give, based on the help and impact you have in their community. For me, this is in the data platform space, which includes SQL Server.

    Playing My Game

    I do many community things, primarily to help others. Some of these things are a part of my job, but I also make an effort outside of my job to teach, educate, and help others that want to become better at their jobs in improve my career.

    That’s been my game, and I continue to play it on a regular basis. I appreciate that Microsoft recognizes this as valuable enough to award me the MVP, but whether they do or not doesn’t change what I do.

    For anyone that is intrigued by the MVP, my advice to enjoy helping others. To write, speaker, organize, etc. to help your community in some way. If you enjoy doing that, and are willing to spend time regularly, then you might be an MVP.

    I (and many others) are happy to nominate you, but you should be helping others as a regular part of your life first. If you do, then feel free to reach out and ask me to nominate you.