Meet Ashwin

Obsessive Learner

Technologist / Lifelong learner / Cloud, Data, API / Engineering Leader / Travel freak / Habitual reader

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My Learning Goals for 2020

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Learning Goals

For the last few years, I have a practice of setting annual learning goals. It helps me with two things. First, to focus on specific skills to develop and second, provides an objective way to measure my achievements.

I also find it useful to order goals by priority and have quarterly targets. This way I can savour my achievements on a periodic basis and adjust goals if needed.

Here’s my list for 2020.

Quarter 1 – Jan-Mar

  • Learn SRE basics and advanced topics
  • Complete Google Cloud DevOps Engineer certification
  • Complete my last quarter with Stanford LEAD certification

Quarter 2 – Apr-Jun

  • Learn Kubernetes advanced topics
  • Complete Kubernetes Admin certification
  • Take TOGAF training and complete certification

Quarter 3 – Jul-Sep

  • Learn other topics in Google Cloud
  • Complete Google Cloud Solution Architect certification
  • Learn IT Cybersecurity concepts (Coursera)

Quarter 4 – Oct-Dec

  • Learn AWS cloud topics
  • Complete AWS Solution Architect certification
  • Take Create Leadership (IDEOU) course

I am curious to know about your learning goals for this year.  Please share them as comments to this post.  All the best to achieve great heights and a great 2020!

Making Kindness a Habit : 5 Simple Ways

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In the age of speed dates and fast foods, we often forget the importance of kindness. The need really strikes us when we are a victim – when kindness is desperately expected.

But by making it a habit, we can give unconditional kindness to everyone around. I bet it will come back in the right form. Karma, you know!

Here are five simple ways to start.

  • Spend an extra 10 minutes every day, to talk or listen to someone who needs you. It can be your spouse, child, family member or a friend
  • Genuinely smile at 5 strangers every day. Don’t make it odd, just a gentle smile
  • Perform simple acts of kindness whenever there is an opportunity – holding the door, helping with a heavy bag, getting coffee to a coworker etc
  • Listen more than you talk. Every single time
  • But product or service from small merchants whenever possible. Sometimes it may be the only sale they make in a whole day

Life is too short to spend egotistically. Embed kindness in your daily life and enjoy the beauty of it.

Introducing Quadgets : A focused goal setting system

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quadget-post-header

Goal setting is tough for most us because of two main reasons – first, we get into the trap of too many goals and second, we don’t follow up on the goals.  To help you reach your goals and achieve success, I am sharing with you a system I have been using for years – Quadgets! [Read more…]