Life's Chaos Monkeys
So I recently found out that Netflix has a whole herd of Chaos Monkeys they use to test the robustness of their services. Indeed, they have a simian army that tests their system by causing different parts of the system to fail; each type of Chaos Monkey causes the system to fail in a different way. They have Security Monkeys, Janitor Monkeys, a 10-18 Monkeys(?) and even a Chaos Gorilla. I love the wild imagery of having a bunch of monkeys rampaging through the system!
It got me to thinking about the chaos monkeys in my life that keep on testing my resolve in general and, more specifically, to make affiliate marketing my "way of life". I have numerous health issues, my Health Monkey, that always seem to rear their head whenever I make progress. It may even be a Health Gorilla! In addition to that, I have a Family Monkey. That is the monkey that always messes up the works by creating a family crisis when things are rolling along and I am making progress. Then there is the Car Monkey, House Monkey, Tax Monkey... well you get the picture.
In the past, these monkeys would grind my forward progress to a halt and stop me in my tracks. Not only would I find myself at a standstill, but it would seem impossible to get started again. That is what happened when I first joined WA. I was moving along at a great pace, got very ill (Health Gorilla) and then my father died (Family Gorilla) and then my daughter got really ill (Family Gorilla). My progress stalled and finally died completely. I didn't get started again for a couple of years!
Things have changed in my mind, though, my personal simian army is still at work, testing my ability to get through things - but now I see it as a challenge and I keep on moving. I might pause and regroup, or figure out a new way to do things, but I still am moving forward. I see it as a test of my systems!
So for those of you out there with your own Chaos Monkeys, don't let them stop you.
Keep on going!
Recent Comments
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Wow! Great post Paul. I am so glad you persevere through all the monkeys and gorillas. Keep going. You have great ways of presenting things. I love you website! Keep on Keeping on!
:)
I know exactly what you mean! I have way too many monkeys that have managed to halt my progression. They are beyond frustrating. This job is overwhelming enough without them too.
Best wishes to you and everyone.
Blessings, Jamie
Thanks for sharing. A terminology that is different than how others may describe it, but I rather like the style and ease of reading this. I am really glad that you keep on going as I think your have a lot to offer. Remember when children first learn to walk they may have a couple of good days with no missteps, and then all of a sudden they have a rough day or so where they seem to fall on their butts. Hey, they don't give up, they don't let that stop them. Obviously, things you have gone thru were a lot more difficult than learning to walk, but I appreciate your willingness to get back up and keep on going. I look forward to seeing just how far you can go. Best of days to you.
Dan
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Love this! I'm always using the term gremlins...lol....now I found out it's an expansive family! Somwhow, gremlins and monkeys....brings to mind those flying monkeys in Wizard of Oz. ....lol
I know - I had that same image in my mind! lol