With apologies to Frank Sinatra.

Last week I was reminded of one of the few things I missed out on my IT career. A number of friends and colleagues posted about how they had achieved or been renewed for their Microsoft MVP status. It’s one achievement I never obtained.

Let me be clear, I’m not bitter or upset. The honest truth is, I never really worked hard at achieving it. So to me it’s most like seeing friends making the Olympic team and wishing I was there but also recognizing that they worked at it and earned it while I really didn’t. So this is on me. And I’m VERY excited and proud for them. They’re amazing people and they deserved it!

But, with my career change, I’m even less likely now to make it. And… I’m ok with that.

One thing that I’m finding remarkable to me about this career change is how few regrets I’m having. I’m reminded all the time it’s the right move. I was tired of IT and tired of data.

But, the one thing I never tired of was the community, aka #sqlfamily. Honestly, this is what probably what kept me going the past few years: being part of such a community. Let it be said, the #sqlfamily is an amazing group of people: they mentor, they teach, they push the state of the art forward, they make everyone better. I’m a better DBA and IT person because of them.

In fact, in a way, I’d say #sqlfamily probably gave me the inspiration and courage to move forward and change careers.

So regrets, I’ve had a few, one being perhaps not working hard enough to earn an MVP, but meeting, getting to know, and loving my #sqlfamily, I will never regret.