There are a couple of reasons why I believe I don't feel that spark. I'm working a lot and have a lot on my mind. Whether it's at my full-time job or organizing viz-related events (like the Tableau Fringe Festival), or putting together coaching materials, my brain is ON basically all the time. This year has been stressful. It started with a pretty significant cyber-bullying and harassment case, I trained for the Glass Slipper Challenge, prepped for a fitness competition, had some family issues to contend with, and am really trying to get Pretty Strong Smart to take off. More stress equals less creativity for me.
For years, I have had this goal of being a technical resource in the Tableau community. I wanted that because I thought (and to a certain extent still believe) that that's what the Tableau community wants. While Tiny Tableau Tips was fun and proved to be a good resource, I'm not a technical resource.
- Continuing the progress on TFF.
- Continuing the Tableau Wannabe Podcast and making it better.
- Supporting diversity and inclusion in the Tableau contests (starting with Iron Viz because there's energy around it).
- Sharing institutional knowledge. There has been a tremendous boom in the Tableau community. I feel like I was late to the game when I started getting involved in the Tableau community in 2013, now that feels like two decades ago. I think there are some observations to share since that time (look for this to be a podcast feature).
- Sharing my knowledge about dataviz with kids. I did a one hour talk with first and fourth graders and LOVED it. I have planned out a curriculum for a kids camp to teach kids about VizMagic. I'm reminded of the old voting adage, vote early and often. Expose kids to viz early and often and spark an interest that they can then determine what they do with it.