Tag: syndicated

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 a plan to connect with others and do something fun.

My wife and I have a friend turning 50 later this year. It’s a big deal for many people, and this person is hoping to have some sort of celebration. Another friend started to put together a trip for a small group of people to go to the beach and have a fun weekend.

We weren’t sure, but decided to participate and plan. If the pandemic worsens, we can always cancel, but the timeframe is outside the window when most people expect to get vaccinated, so we’re hoping we can get together, have some fun, and enjoy life.

It’s a ways away, but it does give us something to look forward to doing with others.

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 actively listen to what people say, without judging them.

This is a challenge, especially while being remote from everyone. I see many people in meetings looking around, typing, checking phones, etc. Maybe not that different from some in person meetings, but it does feel often that people aren’t getting engaged.

I’m trying to do better. Yesterday I wrote about listening more to my daughter. Today I have been trying to do better with work meetings. I’m trying to listen more to others, focus on what they’re saying, not getting excited or upset, and absorbing their words. I’ll think about it and then give feedback on how I feel this works best for the organization or a wide variety of people, not just 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. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

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

I have less of these now, with all the kids away from the house. However, my daughter has called a few times to chat. Often she takes time between classes, or shortly thereafter, but those are not always good times for me. I’m often working then.

However, I’ve made it a point to stop, not multi-task, and walk away from my desk when she calls. Focus on her, and enjoy the time.

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 well them why.

I decided to pick three people that make me think and widen my view of the world. I sent a note to each of them individually, but the gist is here:

Rie Merritt

I don’t get to sit and chat with Rie often, but over time, we’ve had some interesting chats. I really appreciate the way she has passion and advocacy for various aspects of life and work, trying to make the world better. At the same time, she’s rational and listens, willing to debate about things.

I especially appreciate her view as a woman in the SQL Family, as her experiences, her thoughts, and more help me to see the world in a wider way.

I’m grateful that I’ve known her.

Andy Mallon

Andy and I have run into each other at various events. He’s been a fun person, full of excitement and passion. He’s compassionate and has supported many causes that are also important to me.

He’s also very opinionated and very strong willed, especially around diversity and inclusion. We don’t always agree, but I do think he makes many valid points, and I think the world is better for having him in it, as is the SQL Family.

I am grateful for all the words we’ve exchanged.

Steve Rezhener

Steve runs the LA Data Platform group and their SQL Saturday, actually Data/SQL Saturday now. Steve has been a critic and advocate for SQL Saturday for years, and he’s often pushed me on how to view events, and how they’ve been managed in the past.

We don’t always agree, but I do appreciate his view and his passion. He helps me to remember that there are other ways to view the franchise than my own.

I’m grateful to Steve for the hospitality in LA, and the ways he challenges me.