12 Years ago, I recorded one SQL Server course. Today there are more than fifty, on several technologies, on Pluralsight. Looking back, the journey feels almost like a dream, with joy, learning and a few setbacks.
A Simple Start
It began with a love of technology and a strong wish to share it. I set up my microphone in a quiet corner and got ready for something new. I thought the start would be simple. It wasn’t.
Speaking to an audience I couldn’t see was harder than I expected. Questions kept running through my mind. Was I making sense? Was I going too fast, or too slow? In a classroom, faces answer those questions for you. In front of a microphone, there is no immediate feedback at all, and it felt like speaking into a void.
Working alone was the second challenge. There was no one in the room to share a small win with, or to say “try that again”. Those early hurdles turned out to be only the beginning.
Three Setbacks I Still Remember
Building courses was an adventure of its own, with twists I never planned for. Three of them stayed with me.
The disk that gave up. I was finally getting into a good rhythm when my hard drive failed in the middle of a course. Hours of work looked lost for good, and a wave of panic hit me. I took a deep breath and decided to treat it as a test. Then I started again from scratch. The best lessons come in the most unexpected ways.
The course with no voice. Another time, I found that my voice was missing from a recorded course because of a technical glitch. It felt like a punch in the stomach. Instead of giving up on it, I recorded the audio again to match the video already on screen. That took a lot of patience and precision, and the result was worth every minute.
The software that kept moving. I would finish a course on one edition of a product. Then a new edition came out. Technology doesn’t wait for anyone. I chose to see it as a chance to keep my courses current. So I rolled up my sleeves and recorded the course again on the latest edition. Learners deserve the version they will use.
The Support Behind Every Course: My Wife, Nupur
Through the late nights and the surprises, my wife Nupur was my strongest support. Nupur’s faith and steady encouragement carried me through the hard days. Nupur wasn’t a silent supporter, either, but an active part of the work.
Nupur reviewed every word, so each sentence was clear and meant something. Nupur ran careful quality checks and improved my scripts with strong technical skills. The video editing Nupur did made the courses look and sound more professional.
Nupur also took care of our daughter and handled the business finances. Because everything else was in good hands, I could focus on making the best courses I could. Our daughter is 13 now. For twelve of those years, our daughter has watched the two of us work together on this mission possible task.
The Joy of Teaching
Even with the hurdles and the sleepless nights, every moment was worth it. The thanks I received from learners made all the effort feel small. Knowing that my courses helped people reach their goals and grow in their careers fills me with pride.
Teaching gives back more than it takes. When you help someone understand a thing that confused them yesterday, that feeling is hard to put into words. It is the reason I keep sharing, and the reason I keep learning.
Gratitude
My first thanks go to my parents. They encouraged me and gave me the freedom to look beyond a regular 9 to 5 job. Their faith in an unusual career choice was a great driving force.
I am thankful to Aaron Skonnard, CEO of Pluralsight. Aaron believed in me and gave me the platform for my first course. Many people at Pluralsight stood behind the work too: the editors, the accountants, the course managers and more. Your help made this journey possible.
Looking Back
Over these 12 years, I got to learn, teach and connect with a wonderful community of learners. The road was long and steep, and every bump on it shaped me as a teacher and as a person.
To every learner and every teacher reading this: success is a journey. Welcome the challenges, keep learning, and lean on the people who love you. Dream big, work hard, and let your passion show the way.
Thank you for being part of this journey. You can always reach out to me on LinkedIn.
Fifty courses are not a number I chased, they are the story of a family that kept going.
Published by Pinal Dave on SQLAuthority. More of my work at pinaldave.com.
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2 Comments. Leave new
Congratulations on the milestone, sir. You and Nupur put a lot of effort into your work, and it shows. You rock.
Thank you so so much. You made my day. I appreciate your unconditional support and love to Dave family.