12 Years, 50 Courses: A Tale of Enthusiasm, Determination, and Resilience

Looking back, the past 12 years feel almost dream-like. A dream that sprouted from a single SQL Server course and blossomed into an impressive bouquet of 50+ video courses on several technologies at Pluralsight. This journey, a cocktail of joy, satisfaction, learning, challenges, and setbacks, has been a rollercoaster ride. Let’s embark on this walk down memory lane, filled with remarkable incidents and invaluable lessons – 12 Years, 50 Courses. 

The Simple Start

The journey began from a space of deep affection for technology and an unquenchable thirst to share this affection with the world. I had a vision, and with this vision in my mind, I set up my microphone in a quiet corner, ready for a new venture. But the start wasn’t as simple as I thought. Speaking to an unseen audience was a hurdle taller than I expected. A sea of questions swam in my mind – was I making sense? Was I going too fast or too slow? The lack of immediate feedback was daunting, almost like speaking into a void. The solitude of working alone was another challenge. Nevertheless, these initial hiccups were just the beginning of an extraordinary journey.

Building Courses – A Journey of its Own

Creating courses was an adventure in itself, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Let me take you through three noteworthy incidents that made the journey even more memorable.

The Unforeseen Disk Failure:

Just as I was getting into the groove, life decided to throw a curveball. While working on one of the courses, my hard drive decided to give up on me. All the hours of hard work seemed to be teetering on the edge of being lost forever. A wave of panic washed over me. But, instead of letting the situation get the better of me, I chose to see it as a test of my resilience. I took a deep breath, gathered my wits about me, and started from scratch. The incident served as a stark reminder that sometimes, the best lessons come in the most unexpected ways.

A Course With a Missing Voice:

My journey had a fair share of speed bumps. One such incident was when I discovered that my voice was missing from a recorded course due to a technical glitch. It felt like a punch in the stomach. But instead of wallowing in disappointment, I decided to use this as an opportunity to get creative. I recorded only the audio matching the video, a task that demanded a lot of patience and precision. The result was worth the effort.

The Constant Software Updates:

Just as I thought I had mastered a software edition and completed a course on it, a new edition was released! This was more than just a challenge for my courses, it was an unexpected surprise from the dynamic world of technology. But, I chose to perceive it as an opportunity to keep my courses up to date. I rolled up my sleeves and re-recorded the course with the latest edition, ensuring that my audience had the best and most relevant learning experience.

The Unwavering Support: My Wife

Throughout the tough journey of creating courses, during late nights, and unexpected challenges, my wife Nupur was a strong source of support. Her unwavering faith and constant encouragement were my pillars in difficult times. She was not just a silent supporter but an active contributor.

Nupur’s keen eye improved the courses, ensuring every word was clear and meaningful. She carefully maintained high standards through thorough quality checks and improved my scripts with her technical skills. Also, her talent in video editing helped to improve the look and sound of our courses, making them more professional.

Managing multiple roles, Nupur took care of our daughter while skillfully handling business finances. Her dedication in all areas allowed me to concentrate on creating top-quality courses, knowing that all other matters were well taken care of. Our 13 years old daughter has the joy of witnessing us working together for the last 12 years on this mission possible task.

The Joy of Teaching – 12 Years, 50 Courses

Despite all the hurdles and sleepless nights, it’s been a journey worth every moment. The appreciation I received from learners made every drop of sweat worthwhile. Knowing that my courses have helped numerous individuals achieve their goals and enhance their careers fills me with pride and accomplishment. The impact of teaching, of empowering others with knowledge, is a feeling that words can barely describe, fuelling my passion to continue sharing and growing.

Gratitude

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have supported me in this journey. First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents for their unwavering encouragement and for giving me the freedom to explore beyond a conventional 9 to 5 job. Their faith in my abilities and their support in my unconventional career choice have been a great driving force.

I extend a special thanks to Aaron Skonnard, CEO of Pluralsight, for believing in me and providing the platform to create my first course. I am also deeply grateful to all the wonderful people at Pluralsight – editors, accountants, course managers, and many more, who have been instrumental in my journey. Your support and assistance have been invaluable; for that, I am eternally grateful.

Looking Back

Reflecting on the 12 years, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, teach, and connect with a fantastic community of learners. The journey, long and steep as it was, has been filled with unforgettable incidents that have shaped me as an educator and as a person.

To all learners and educators out there, remember that success is a journey of embracing challenges, endlessly seeking knowledge, and leaning on the unwavering support of your loved ones. Let your dreams be big, your work hard, and your passion your guiding light.

A heartfelt thank you for being a part of this extraordinary journey.

You can always reach out to me on LinkedIn.

Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)