Learn how to lose
“Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.” - Wilma Rudolph, Olympic champion
And here's the thing about data management. Your data (to some extent) always has errors. And chances are good, your system doesn't do everything you think it should. It's even possible it doesn't do what your vendor promised it would do!
There is always going to be some disappointment, some challenge, some "loss." What matters, as Rudolph so eloquently states, is how we respond to those challenges.
If you really want to be successful managing your data, acknowledge all that is or can go wrong, and work through it.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Accentuate the positive
Accentuate the positive I’ve written before about the importance of database public relationsand celebrating success. I’ll add […]
Annual dues vs. anniversary dues
Annual dues vs. anniversary dues I served as director of membership for several years at […]
A change of systems requires a change of mindset
Every AMS vendor will tell you that the toughest part of implementing a new system […]
It doesn’t have to be optimal to be beneficial
It doesn’t have to be optimal to be beneficial I’m a big fan of the […]
Look for small wins
Look for small wins One of the toughest things about system implementation is simply how […]
Are you closing the loop?
Are you closing the loop? If your association does a call for presentations for any […]
Declare victory and move on
Declare victory and move on The law of diminishing returns is the point at which the […]
Clean as you go
Clean As You Go A good cook or baker knows that, when working in the […]
Baby Steps
One of the keys to developing good data management habits is to be aware of […]
Success Requires Discipline
When it comes to data management, most of us know what to do; we just don’t […]