How to take shots?

When I very first started drinking, I used to take a tiny shot like literally take a shot less than a quarter of the short glass and then I started putting shots into drinks I find that takes too long and I don’t really enjoy the drink anyway. I’ve tried to just take straight shot, but I coughed it all up and almost threw up.

Would putting half whiskey and half Coke into a shot glass and then drinking Coke straight after work? Or is there another technique?