Wrapping up April, and thought I’d touch base with myself (“Hello, me!”) and see how I’m doing on my resolutions:
Professional
Technical Skills
- I want to learn something new every month. My goal is to tackle something challenging, and be able to understand the ins and outs of it within 30 days. For example, I want to finish tackling XML (including XSD’s) in SQL Server.
Meh. This month sucked. I had both my personal and my work computer blow up, and adding in the wedding planning stuff, I fell way off track here. Time for a kickstart.
- I want to upgrade my certifications by the end of the year; I’ve been dancing around the MCITP exams for a while, and I need to finish them.
The good news about having a work computer down is that I actually spent some time studying for these. I need to find more time, but I’d love to finish the first one up by the end of next month. Studying for the Database Development one made me realize that there’s a lot of features I don’t know as well as I thought I did.
Presentation
- I want to make at least 6 technical presentations by the end of the year; last year, I managed to eke out 8, but given some of the recent changes in my personal life (see below), I think 6 is reasonable.
Did two presentations at Columbia, SC SQLSaturday, and they both went well. I’ll be presenting at the Data Architect’s Virtual Chapter’s meeting in May, and I’m submitting abstracts for PASS Summit.
- I will blog at least once a month about some technical topic (see the first bullet point under technical skills).
<crickets>
Management
- I will understand the SCRUM methodology, and learn how to implement it with my team at work. Although I’m not a team leader, I AM the Senior Database Architect, and I need to code less, and teach more. This is my year to do so.
OK, so I’m a scrum leader, but I haven’t really focused on stepping up in my current position.
Personal
Health
- I’m getting married again this year, and I want to look good for my new wife. I also want to avoid long-term health issues. I was losing weight last year (until I started dating), and I want to get back on track. I’d like to lose 50 lbs by October.
Dropped 10 lbs, and plateued. Sigh. This one is hard.
- I have apnea, and I’ve been horrible about using my CPAP on a regular basis. I will use it regularly.
I’m actually doing pretty good with this one; I need more hours of sleep, but the sleep I get now is good.
- I need to exercise more, so I will find 20 minutes a day to do SOMETHING, even if it’s just walking around the office for 20 minutes.
<crickets>
- I will drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
Does Diet Coke count as water? Working on it.
Spiritual
- I’ve slacked off in my religious activities; my faith was nourished by church attendance during my divorce, and I need to start growing again. I will find a new church in the next two months (my old church is too far to drive on a regular basis), and become a regular attendee.
Boy, did I bomb this one! Tried a few places, and then wedding showers, vacations, etc, hit. This one may have to wait until after the wedding.
- I choose to absorb the goodness from people who love me, and I will reject the poison from those who do not. I will focus on the important things in life (like my kids, and my future bride), and worry less about the unimportant things (like who’s mowing the grass).
I gave up reading certain blogs for Lent, and I feel much better. I’ve also learned where my breaking point is, and when to walk away. I’m happy, and more importantly, I’ve started to recognize when I’m unhappy, and I DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
Social
- I will listen more to my children, my family, and my friends. I will find ways to let them know I love them.
I’m getting pretty good at this.
- I will nurture my own friendships; while I love my fiance’s friends and family, I want to bring more to the table than just me.
I’ve touched base with old friends, but haven’t really found the time to make new ones.
Financial
- My divorce pulled me way off course. While I’m a long way from being out of debt, I will continue to make strides in that area. I will pay off at least one credit card ahead of schedule.
I’m paying off a debt on Monday, and I am VERY excited about that; granted, I’ve got a long way to go, but it feels good.
- I will save more; I plan to find ways to cut costs (like taking advantage of coupons, and eating out less).
Doing OK with this; need to be more aggressive about it.
So, it looks like I’m hitting about 50-50; doing well in some areas, and falling behind in others. Time to step up my game a bit.
