The meeting was a day away, and I wasn't sure what to expect. The way things were going, I felt that it was going to be a controversial one. And despite my knowing the material well, there were gaps in my knowledge that I knew could be pried on. These were areas that I wasn't... Continue Reading →
Calendarising
6:20m: "Have to bring home work tonight," I said to my wife, "maybe I'll run tomorrow." Not the best of starts to my "starting serious training" regime, and frankly quite frustrating. But I'm a professional, and I suck it up. 6:30pm: Maybe, I thought, if I finish early I might still go. 7:30pm: Dinner. "I... Continue Reading →
How do you start a blog?
I was asked by a colleague how she could start a blog. Wasn't too sure. "I suppose," I said, "you just write." "Write about what?" she asked. "I don't know. About anything you want to write about, I guess." Then she asked, "where can you write?" I told her she could try some free sites.... Continue Reading →
Anyone got an answer? Agility vs. Governance in Analytics
I've been thinking about this question for a long time now: how do we balance the need for agility in working with data and the need for proper governance around the said data? For those with no idea what I'm talking about, here's a great summary of the conundrum I've found no answers for: [F]rom... Continue Reading →
Invisible problems – what I learned from sweeping
For months I wondered why the floor was always dusty every time I left the windows open, and really quickly too. Could leave the windows open, go down for a quick meal, and come back up only to have my feet return to a sandy desert. I suspected it was a combination of a couple... Continue Reading →
Saying yes to opportunity, even if you don’t feel like it
There was a metaphorical knock on the door that prompted me to look up from the busywork I was deeply involved in. Who was it? My first instinct was to turn him or her away. "Get lost," I wanted to say, but held back. I opened the door and saw the blurred face of what... Continue Reading →
Good/bad Outcomes
You only know if an outcome is good or bad when there are no more outcomes to be had. (I wrote the above in my journal after castigating myself on some foolish decisions I'd made, only to recall the beautiful story of the old man and his horse. It ain't over till the fat lady... Continue Reading →
Success and Economic Temperance
To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,... Continue Reading →
Winning the battle, losing the war
The following passage was taken from the book 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson, a good reminder on how long-term success may come at the cost of short-term losses, if you can call it that: You might consider judging your success across all the games you play. Imagine that you are very good... Continue Reading →
A decision to write
I've got nothing to say; nothing to write about today. So this day passes without a word being written. Same thing tomorrow. And the day after. Before you know it, the year is over, and not a word is put down. No. That year's not this year. Just 10 minutes ago I thought: today I... Continue Reading →
