Update:

This book project got its second life. I am now collaborating with another author to bring this book to completion.

*****

I was super excited when I received an invitation to write a book on SSRS 2012. Writing a book has been in my bucket list for as long as I can remember. It’s probably on top 10 or higher.

When I finally received the formal contract, I signed it immediately without giving it second thoughts.

I was zoomed in to the fact that I finally have the opportunity to fulfill one of my dreams – that I now have the opportunity to shine. A great milestone for my career, I thought.

But then I forgot I have other priorities that I’ve already committed to even prior to when the book offer came. I didn’t realize saying Yes to a dream means saying No to other commitments. Saying Yes I wanted to affix my signature to the contract meant more sacrifice than I bargained for.

And so life happens.

I’ve come to a point where I need to make decisions. Something’s got to give. I’m almost certain that dropping the book has negative repercussions. But that’s the trade off.

I now mark my first attempt at writing a book a failure. But this is not a story about failing a dream. It’s a failure at recognizing real priorities. It’s a failure at sticking with commitments and goals.

If I learned one thing in all this it’s the fact that abandoning current goals just so a dream can be fulfilled is not the way to go, specially when that dream does not necessarily conform with those goals.

What do I do now?

I’m glad you asked. Here’s what I am doing and what I have to get back on track with my goals – goals that are geared toward a SQL Server DBA career:

1. More Time means flexibility and that I can use most of that time to focus on SQL Server. And that also means more training and more opportunities for learning critical skills.

2. I do have a Pluralsight Subscription. The SQL Skills folks have posted training videos on SQL Server which will definitely help me improve my SQL Server skills.

3. My TechNet Subscription ensure that I have access to critical enterprise software that I can use to apply what I’m learning. I can recreate close-to-real-world environment so I can simulate real-world scenarios on a SQL Server system for example.

4. The most important tool that I have is my ThinkPad W530 equipped with a Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB RAM. A SSD upgrade would make this machine even better. Hyper-V allows me to build virtualized SQL Server environments on the fly. You say Failover Clustering? Check! You say Replication? It is! You say AlwaysOn Availability Groups? I’m in!

5. I’m under the Friend of Red Gate program. Using their SQL Toolbelt on a regular basis, albeit on test environments, make me comfortable in using third-party tools. Plus, of course, there are those free tools from other vendors.

6. The SQL Family (#sqlfamily / #sqlpass on Twitter) has seen all my up’s and down’s. They’ve witnessed everything that I’m going through, career-wise. They are my greatest asset.

And yet I’ve just spelled another failure. I’ve failed a lot. And I’ll fail more. This could only mean one thing.

Success is near.