There is saying “if you want to change some things in your life, you have to change somethings in your life”. So this blog post is part of me changing something in my life. Whilst I might think its a good idea to publicly commit to something then work towards that goal, this is not something that I have done for before. So here goes. Yes this was inspired by the T-SQL Tuesday topic in December 2018, which I mis-read the date for :-)
BIML - this just seems to have so much potential, finding myself writing more and more SSIS packages that have patterns, now's the time to learn more and do more.
My preferred method is video training. This means I am in control of the tempo, if I have 5 mins then can watch a video (or part of). On the other hand if I have not grasped something it is possible to repeat it till I get it. One course on Microsoft Virtual Academy (https://mva.microsoft.com/) about the use of the APPLY keyword I had watch several before grasping the concept. At the moment Udemy is working well for me, just make sure you wait till the one of the regular sales.
In person events is something which has been of massive benefit for me. My first visit to SQL Bits was without doubt a career and life changer. Having the opportunity to hear from so many fantastic amazing speakers is a wonderful. Then there is the networking that is another story, even for a confirmed introvert like me!
Books are still a part of my learning. Recently I have found myself reading more using electronic books. There is difference between a physical book and an electronic book. The later is easier for to take my library with me. So it doesn't matter if the book is at home or work.
Teach - the go to person regarding SQL server in my company is me. At the moment I am writing some lessons to teach what I know about SQL Server and related skills. This encourages me to make sure that anything I am teaching that I have a through understanding of the topic.
Blog - writing posts has been patchy, so this is my commitment to write at least one blog post per month. This year I refuse to allow impostor syndrome to put me off (no excuses). Submit sessions - on this subject, time to take my own advice / encouragement to speak about what I know, My success is built on those who have taken the time to speak and teach, and I want to give back.
Stack-overflow - having attempted to answer some questions previously with varying degrees of success. Rather than waiting, now the strategy is chasing down questions that I can answer / contribute Who knows chances are that it is myself who will learn more than anyone else :-)
Attend another conference - SQL Bits has been and will be the highlight of my technical year (SQL Geek Christmas / New Year). In 2018 my minimum commitment is to attend at least one other event. If possible as a speaker, volunteer, or at least as an attendee.
Soft skills - ask my partner she will tell you these could do with some work. As a self concession introvert, its not easy to work with people. Recently small achievements mean that it inspires me to learn and work harder.
#SQLGLA 2018 - the Glasgow SQL server user group ran, their first event (2107). This was an amazing learning adventure, so we are getting bigger, watch out Glasgow.
Now that I have committed these goals time to go and start making them happen. Expect a summary in, December 2018.
On the the 10th of November 2017 the Glasgow SQL server user group ran #SQLGLA. This was a half day event, primarily for SQL server professionals in Scotland. Although we did have some visitors for further afield. Namely our four MVP speakers, William Durkin, Chrissy LeMaire, Andre Kamman and Rob Sewell. Now the event is completed, we have gathered and compiled the feedback. Now I feel that there is time to think about the event. It's been a bit a rollercoaster ride, with the full complement of good bits and scary bits. Much of the thanks for making this entire event a success goes to my co-organiser Craig Porteous. Without Craig this event would not have come off at all. It would be fair to say that both Craig and myself had visions of very few people coming. Other than the speakers, volunteers and ourselves. People did come and as often happens at these, people you did not expect arrived and those we expected did not arrive. All part of the learning curve. My memories of the actual day are, we arrived at the venue, we all ran up and down stairs, realized what we had forgotten to bring, set up the venue ready for our guests. People arrived, attendees, speakers, sponsors. Speakers, spoke, people mingled, chatted, had tea, coffee, sandwiches, then drank beer, & wine. We cleared up, said good bye. Some people head off to the pub to continue the fun. It was a fantastic day, all the objectives we had aimed for were achieved. As we know these events do not run themselves. There is a dedicated team of selfless people who make these events happen. Craig Porteous my co-organiser put a massive amount of work into making this event happen. Even more his selfless decision to have one more drink at the SQL Bits party meant he met William Durkin, and the conversation resulted in the event :-). We were also very kindly blessed with two very enthusiastic and industrious volunteers Edith and Paul. Who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, and just did what needed to be done. This event was a huge learning experience for Craig and myself. This event combined with running the user group has taught me more than a few lessons. Some of which we have learned, some I am sure we are still learning. Now the event is over, and I have sometime to look back, I will blog about some of the lessons. About running a user group and a larger event such as #SQLGLA.
What's so hard about making mistakes for me? The embarrassment of it, maybe I did not know something, or yes that thing that I did well, yes, I did know better. It's not easy for me to admit mistakes. Just ask my long-suffering partner (thank goodness, she does not read my blog!). Yes, I do like to be right and do it the right way. Admitting that I was wrong, or did something stupid, takes it out of me, it's not easy. Hopefully, in my professional life, I am a little better at dealing with my mistakes. A few years ago, one of my jobs was with a large consultancy company. I was the person responsible for producing reports for the service desk. From time to time there were errors with the reports that I was responsible for producing. During that time, I developed a strategy which I still use to deal with mistakes. 1) Take responsibility It's not easy to put your hand to say you have made a mistake. On the other hand, how to do you learn from mistakes? For me, part of growing is learning to take the bad with the good. Also personally speaking I have more respect for someone who has what it takes to say when they have made a mistake. Even if you have not made the mistake you find, then take make it your responsibility to fix that mistake. If I do this then my primary focus is to get the issue resolved and move on. Finger pointing or the blaming someone is not part of this. 2) Find the challenge What when wrong? How did it happen? Be able to explain what happened, in simple non-technical language that anyone can understand. Also be confident that you can explain in technical terms to your peers. 3) Fix it Get your hands dirty, get involved in fixing the issue. Help find a solution to rectify the challenge or work with the people fixing the challenge if you can. For me, I have and do still learn so much just from fixing mistakes. 4) Prevent it! Better to have a fence at the cliff edge than a hospital at the bottom. What will stop it happening the mistake happening again? An extra check of something, a checklist of things to do in the same situation. Is there something I missed, do you have a different strategy. Maybe you disagree? Let me know, every day is school day for me :-)