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 give people the gift of your full attention.
I have been making it a point to do this, especially with my wife. In the past, she might make a comment or want to tell me something while we’re watching TV. I often might be unwinding with a game on my phone, but I’ve decided to put my phone down and pause the TV to listen.
I’m also making a point to put my phone away, or not check it when someone is talking to me. If I’m expecting some call, I might make a check, but I’m going out of my way to dedicate my attention.
I’m also doing this on my Zoom calls where I’m an active participant. I shrink all other windows on my machine (Outlook, Twitter, etc.) and focus on the call. If I’m just listening in on some update, that might not be the case.