Never mind your job description

I enjoyed learning a little more about what data scientists do today. In summary it’s about creating insight that has a positive impact. Software development isn’t really about writing code, it’s about programatically solving a problem. Improving a product or creating opportunity. As a support analyst, the ticket logging and SLA juggling is merely a means to influence the situation positively when things have gone … Continue reading Never mind your job description

mdgowerblogs29th Dec 2021Leave a comment

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Boiling the ocean

To my surprise, I’d never heard this phrase before a friend used it earlier this year. Since hearing it, it’s been a great reminder to focus on achievable goals. Also, to acknowledge that some things are simply out of reach right now. While you can’t boil the ocean, you can make a difference. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading Boiling the ocean

mdgowerblogs27th Dec 2021Leave a comment

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The value of attention

A friend recently related their thanks at something I’d ‘given’ them – confidence. Over the time I’ve known them, they’ve consistently done well across a range of things, not all of which I was directly involved in. I’ve quietly admired their work, and at a pivotal moment I played their accomplishments back to them. I bolstered their self-belief and in doing so helped them seize … Continue reading The value of attention

mdgowerblogs5th Nov 20216th Nov 2021Leave a comment

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Playing to the gallery

Every now and again I’m reminded I have an audience. That prompts some reflecting on what I tend to write and if I could write more with the gallery in mind. Without a doubt, I could. Listicles. Attention grabbing, tag-friendly, en vogue content. Eurgh. I could write something with mass appeal in mind, or with a very tailored audience in mind. I choose not to, … Continue reading Playing to the gallery

mdgowerblogs3rd Nov 2021Leave a comment

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The Long Way back from angry, again

I’m re-reading one of my favourite books. A book that lifted my mood when I was really on my knees a good few years back – The Long Way to Small, Angry Planet. Dr Chef says: ‘I don’t mean the practical details. Nobody ever figures those out. I mean the important thing.’ ‘You’re trying to be someone good’. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading The Long Way back from angry, again

mdgowerblogs21st Oct 2021Leave a comment

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What to be proud of

I don’t have a lot of things and my life, right now, doesn’t feel like it’s going where I want it to – at least not quickly. There’s a laundry list of shortcomings I identify with, that my head runs over when it’s stuck in an unkind place. Last night, I watched ‘The Fight’ by Jessica Hynes. I was profoundly when Mick, responding to “somebody’s … Continue reading What to be proud of

mdgowerblogs19th Oct 20212 Comments

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Pleasing everyone, all the time

It’s impossible to cater for everyone, especially in contexts that are focused on individual preference. Aiming to do so is the right thing, though there comes a point where a decision must be made on the best compromise. I don’t like to compromise, though there may be no better way when there are finite resources or opportunities. Where compromise is made, we must be conscious … Continue reading Pleasing everyone, all the time

mdgowerblogs10th Oct 202111th Oct 2021Leave a comment

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Doing just a little

I wrote a quote I like on my notice board as a reminder today, changing the pronoun as I did so. “Nobody made a greater mistake than they who did nothing because they could do only a little.” Through the week I gently nudged a senior colleague, for using unnecessarily gendered language that could have a subtle negative impact. It’s not much, but if we … Continue reading Doing just a little

mdgowerblogs9th Oct 202110th Oct 2021Leave a comment

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What do I have to offer

More often than I’d like, I don’t immediately have an answer when someone is looking for help. Actually, this turns out to be a help in itself. I listen, actively. I try to re-frame the problem if appropriate, gaining clarity on the key points and cutting through any noise. Very often, this is enough. The conversation has been the help and we both go away … Continue reading What do I have to offer

mdgowerblogs15th Sep 202116th Sep 20212 Comments

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All the things I’d like to do

Simply put, there isn’t enough time. I could spend forever planning the things I’d like to do – much better to just get on and do at least some of them. Eight hours in familiar hills beats two weeks of prevaricating about which new hills to walk. Breakfast in almost any cafe satisfies more than reading all the reviews within a half hour’s drive of … Continue reading All the things I’d like to do

mdgowerblogs7th Sep 2021Leave a comment

Sometimes You Learn

Sometimes you win, sometimes you read this blog and, maybe, learn.

Tag: make a difference

Never mind your job description

Boiling the ocean

The value of attention

Playing to the gallery

The Long Way back from angry, again

What to be proud of

Pleasing everyone, all the time

Doing just a little

What do I have to offer

All the things I’d like to do