Never Stop Learning

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Never Stop Learning

Andy Leonard

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June 24, 2014 at 12:05 am

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Comments posted to this topic are about the item Never Stop Learning
Andy Leonard, Chief Data Engineer, Enterprise Data & Analytics

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Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 1

Continuous learning is essential. People should not be discouraged if their level of effort or amount of time given to it is not as much as others. Everyone has to find the right balance for their own particular circumstances. That balance will change over time as one's life changes.

Do what you can, when you can.

No more. No less.

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

Ed Wagner SSC Guru Points: 287026 More actions · Answer 2

I couldn't agree more. Continuous learning is a part of SQL Server because there's always something more to learn or get better with. There's always going to be another feature or version to play with, something to tune or another technique to try. It's all about learning and it never ends. Besides, how boring would life be if you didn't get to learn something new? 😉

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michelle.p.bui SSC Rookie Points: 27 More actions · Answer 3

This is the first time I respond to a SQLCentral.com blog. If we choose our passion and spend time appropriately. We will flourish in it. If we live life with a sense of purpose in any area such as faith, work, family, then we would not have a lot of time to watch much TV. Reading SQL ServerCentral.com is a fun thing I do although I am not working with SQLServer anymore. Lots of good tips and up-to-date technolnogyfor the data geeks! Thanks.

phonetictalk Hall of Fame Points: 3582 More actions · Answer 4

Gary Varga (6/24/2014)
Continuous learning is essential. People should not be discouraged if their level of effort or amount of time given to it is not as much as others. Everyone has to find the right balance for their own particular circumstances. That balance will change over time as one's life changes.
Do what you can, when you can.
No more. No less.

I'll second this. Very well said.

Leonard
Madison, WI

Sarah Wagner Hall of Fame Points: 3178 More actions · Answer 5

Some people are just motivated to do a good job and others need motivation. An interesting article was on MSN kind of related to this, but in the opposite direction http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post--this-company-pays-workers-up-to-dollar25000-to-quit

John Hanrahan Hall of Fame Points: 3825 More actions · Answer 6

I agree this is critical to IT success. Just need to remember that the body is as critical as the mind and it needs exercise too!

Andrew..Peterson SSCertifiable Points: 6838 More actions · Answer 7

When ever I am working with a new project at a new client, I always make an effort to know who are the staff that like to 'play' with the latest technologies. And they are the ones I usually end up working with as a new deliverable is rolled out. curiosity is great, keep learning

The more you are prepared, the less you need it.

Evil Kraig F SSC Guru Points: 100851 More actions · Answer 8

I believe my current signature speaks for my opinion on this article. If you come later and I've changed it, I agree, thoroughly.

Good editorial Andy.

- Craig Farrell

Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

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SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 9

My point? Most people watch a lot more television than six hours per week. What do I do with that time instead? I read books and blogs. I "tinker" with SSIS and SQL Server and software development. I study our craft and trends and tools.
I promise I am not obsessed. I spend time with my family and engaged in activites that I deem important: farming, hobbies, faith. But continuous education has defined my career and the careers of every person (inside or outside of IT) I consider successful.

Good points. I think you are obsessed. 😀

I agree that continuous learning is important. I like to also caution that there is a balance to be struck. If learning feels too much like the job - then it is time to back off and regain some balance.

It needs to be enjoyable.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
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Alan Burstein SSC Guru Points: 61141 More actions · Answer 10

Most people watch a lot more television than six hours per week. What do I do with that time instead? I read books and blogs. I "tinker" with SSIS and SQL Server and software development. I study our craft and trends and tools.

Amen to that! Great article Andy!

"I cant stress enough the importance of switching from a sequential files mindset to set-based thinking. After you make the switch, you can spend your time tuning and optimizing your queries instead of maintaining lengthy, poor-performing code."

-- Itzik Ben-Gan 2001

pmadhavapeddi22 SSCertifiable Points: 5306 More actions · Answer 11

Truly, this site is giving lot of information every day, I am learning a lot through this site.

I thank every one who is contributing

Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 12

What? SQLBits in Telford? That is really close to me so I must...hold on...I am abroad on holiday until the 20th!!!

Nothing seems to drop in my lap until, well...until I stand up!!! :blink:

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004284 More actions · Answer 13

Andy Leonard (6/24/2014)
Comments posted to this topic are about the item <A HREF="/articles/Editorial/110058/">Never Stop Learning</A>

Really nice article from one of the best. Thanks Andy.

The problem that I see with so many people isn't that they stopped learning. Rather it's they never started. 🙂

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

bill9112003 SSC Rookie Points: 49 More actions · Answer 14

Andy,

You have been blessed with exceptional gifts!

Your ability to distill and communicate your knowledge is really remarkable, and it far exceeds most of your peers. Your skill is on par with the really exceptional textbook educators (that routinely charge $150-200 for their books). Your SSIS Stairway series was exceptional. (I printed the series and had it tape bound.) Have you ever considered expanding your communication skills to distilling the BI Semantic Model??

For me balance is an overrated luxury that I can't afford. I am in my late 50's and I am reinventing myself. Given the diminished runway, I am relentless in studying my craft.