It has been a while since my last T-SQL Tuesday blog. When I saw Mike Walsh’s topic for T-SQL Tuesday #193, I was intrigued and inspired – “Notes to yourself from the past and the future.” It has been a year and a half since I went on full time disability due to ALS. I worked for as long as I was able contribute well. It was a sad but necessary reality. This very reality feeds into my notes.
Note to my past self, ten years ago
Don’t allow others to influence you away from your passion for data excellence and leadership. When you are told that becoming a Microsoft MVP is only a personal (or selfish) endeavor and will not help the company and it doesn’t matter, DON’T LISTEN! They are showing how little they know or understand you. The same is true about your data community involvement.
I was awarded the Microsoft MVP award for my work on Microsoft Fabric about a year and a half ago. It was then I learned how much access you get to the engineering teams at Microsoft and a worldwide network of fellow pros. Throughout my years working for Microsoft partners, I have been on data partner advisory councils. I appreciated that exposure, but MVPs already knew what we were hearing for the first time. I can only imagine how I could have helped steer the technological direction of my companies with that insight.
A quick soapbox… It never ceases to amaze me how many MVPs and advisory members do not give feedback and recommendations back to Microsoft. These relationships should be mutually beneficial. From personal experience, I know that giving feedback to Microsoft is beneficial. Many times, Microsoft teams and others thought I was an MVP even though I was not. It was because of my feedback on the data platform through other channels. …end of soapbox.
My overall point to my past self is that you should pursue the path that you see as right for you. Don’t let the naysayers deter you. You need to play to your strengths.
Note from your future self
Before I start this, living ten more years would be amazing. ALS life expectancy is 2-5 years, and I am in year four.
Don’t stop what you are doing. It will continue to be easier and more efficient for you to create. Don’t be afraid of continuing to contribute to the data community. Your mind still works. It will take a lot of patience to work with data tools that are not eye gaze friendly. Don’t let that deter you. Have fun, find a lane and run with it.
I just started getting back to technology. I created the Data on Wheels ~ ALS website, only using eye gaze technology. “Look mom, no hands!” It has been a great experience for me and got me back into technology. I tried using Power BI for the data analysis but quickly realized that I needed Microsoft Fabric to do the work I wanted to do which is out of reach financially (trial capacities are time boxed). So maybe I will see what I can do to solve that problem.
Wrapping it up
I listened to company leaders early in my career. They were wrong. I trusted their input too much. I should have sought additional advice. It would have been better for me and the companies I enjoyed working for.
Today, I have the desire but not the patience or means in some cases to data work. I enjoyed it a lot. I should not give up. I look forward to sharing what I learn.
My advice to everyone is to follow your passions and find enjoyment in your career. Seek council from many different perspectives in your pursuit.