Time To Refill My Pitcher
I shared with some friends recently the need for adequate rest and rejuvenation. I likened it to a pitcher full of water. We can use that pitcher to water the flowers, and watch the beautiful blooms of new life. But if we don't take the time to refill that pitcher, it is soon empty and of no value whatsoever to those flowers. An empty pitcher can only watch the blooms whither and die.
So it is with ourselves. I love helping people, that is part of my nature. But I need to take some time now to fill my own pitcher, lest I soon tend to a dead garden. I moved here just over 2 years ago to care for my father after my mother died. His health and eyesight have been deteriorating. I knew that he had macular degeneration, but during today's doctor visit, he was diagnosed to be legally blind and can no longer drive.
While at the doctor, two of my clients texted me to let me know that their sites were down again - the second time in a week. I had just invoiced one of them for $1,500 and can fully understand their frustration. After I got home I emailed Support and they fixed the problem. I have asked for an explanation of the recent hosting issues, but have received no answer whatsoever.
I also see that my rank dropped from 45 to 90 overnight. I understand that changes to the algorithms have been made, and that's ok. But I'll say this. These algorithms do not take into account the 2 sites I recently reformatted for fellow WA members, nor the countless PMs with CSS coding and other types of tech support. There is no way that WA can apply some sort of metric to the way that I help others behind the scenes.
And that's ok too, because I'm not helping people from a desire for a pat on the back or a gold star. I help people because it's the right thing to do. And right now, I need to help me. I'll still be here on WA, and have no intention of going anywhere. I had planned to publish a training tomorrow, but I think I need to focus my efforts on my sites and those who are closest in my life.
Tomorrow is never promised, and today is a gift. I need to refill my pitcher. Peace friends.
Recent Comments
54
Such lovely words below from your friends and above from yourself. I don't know you so well but you are referred to as the real deal, excellent stuff.
I think we all know where you are at and you recognize its time to do it your way for a while.
Good luck
Wayne
YES Wa'ers, I know I've been rather quiet lately. Mostly since I've been diligently working on my businesses. But hear me out. These words you have read in this post are 100% spot on from a TRUE helper and top consummate WP pro.
Bob, I can certainly attest to how GREAT a HELP you have been to ME, and the priceless PM's and SUPPORT and overall great advice that you continue to give me about WP, which IMHO is totally unconditional despite your busy schedule servicing your own clients.
I have recently been in the process of building my new website and learning the "ins and outs" of WordPress, and naturally while hitting several stumbling blocks along the way reaching out to some other members more knowledgeable than me. And some of you have definitely been helpful and I am grateful for it.
Bob was the ONE to the rescue.
As much as you help others selflessly Bob because you simply know it's the right thing to do, it is truly such a pity that the ever-changing WA algorithm does not account for the way you help others like me through PM's "behind the scenes." Because if it did, you would easily be in the Top 5, which you have my vote anyway.
Ladies and Gents, take it from a former ambassador for four months consecutive and someone who was once ranked #6.
Surfside Bob is the REAL deal. A true pro and unsung hero.
And an indispensable helper.
Thank you bro, I wouldn't be making so much progress on my site without you!
I know all that from my own experience, Kaju. I've written about it here, too. So much help, and time,and endless communication, and implementing your craziest ideas, and support, and encouragement- it's all Bob. I know he is doing that not for ranks... Anyway, in our hierarchy he is on the top, Bob the King. :)
You are a man after my own heart. I am with my father as well. He will be 90 and my mom died a year ago August. 65 years they were married and it has been hard just keeping him motivated every day.
My heart goes out to you my friend. Just the few times I have spoken to you I can see you are a quality person.
I dropped 115 spots after busting my butt for my first two months here. There is no anger nor frustration but I too will never partake again in giving of myself to a system that can just swat me whenever it feels like it and I say it because it is just that, code.
It's ironic but it just doesn't seem to go with everything that is preached here from leadership on down. I realize I am here to build my site and create revenue and what I thought was a way of giving back was just being another cog in the wheel. It won't happen again.
Take care SSB, I'll be around too, would love to chat sometime.
Damo
Thanks Damo, I appreciate and applaud you, as taking care of our parents can be a challenging experience. Still, it stretches us to grow in ways we couldn't have comprehended in younger years.
I agree that there is a disparity between words and actions here, but that is true in many places. Kyle posted about becoming a Super Affiliate yet still hasn't replied to my PM about the recurring hosting issues.
Dude, I signed on here and PAY YOU every month to become a super affiliate, and I shouldn't need to join some extra club to get there. Further, if my sites are down hours out of every day, then there is no training in the world that will overcome that obstacle.
I will reply to his post, and I will publish another blog or two today, so depending on how that is received, you may never hear from me again. lol Peace Damo, take care my friend. :-)
Absolutely refill. I can relate as I help care for our 84 year old mother. It is not easy, but as you say, it's the right thing to do. I'm sure our Dad and older brother approve of this. It's the only thing right now. We just had a close call with her. Thus refill and recharge we will be here. Take care because you ARE important to many.
Hey Bob,
It's important to take time for yourself....when in reality you'll be taking care of your father. My dad also has the same visual ailment just not as progressive yet.
I'm new here so I haven't been fortunate to have much communication with you but will anxiously await your return and contributions.
Take care
Hi Bob
Thanks for posting this and I totally understand about needing to look after yourself and your family first. I know you said you'll be around so I'll look forward to keeping in touch with you here and wish you all the best with the work you are doing. Thanks for connecting with me here and for reading and replying to my posts and thanks also for all the help you have given to myself and others, which, although may not be recognised in the new ranking system, is deeply appreciated by the people you help.
Take care my friend and all the best for a successful and peaceful day.
Gail
Likewise - I wrote a post yesterday too as I too fell in the ranks. I think it's an interesting system but please don't let it affect how you think of your work here (I know you won't) because everything you do is truly valued very highly and we are all only pawns in the great game anyway.
I wish you and your family all the best. Sending big hugs. Gail
Thank you Gail. I saved your post to read this morning, will dig into that soon after I tend to dad for a bit. Peace. :-)
Hi Bob, sorry to hear about your father.
Everything you mentioned is more than a handful, and I'm sad I won't see you around anymore. But, I fully understand and would be doing the same thing.
Thank you so much, for all the help you have given me.
Ms. Illiterate as I am, I really appreciate it.
Wishing you and your family all the best!
Thanks Patsy. I'll be around, just limiting my outreach to find balance. To be clear, I am much more concerned with the hosting issues than any type of ranking system that is implemented here. However, on that note, it would be nice to see a ranking system that credited the accuracy of the contributor's post rather than one who churns out incorrect information and/or mindless drivel. Peace my friend. :-)
Hi Bob!
You are quite noble in your post and in your attitude to life.
This is a new year and "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."
Totally get it.
You go and focus on what you need to at present.
I wish your father well and I also wish you favor in your business ventures.
I really hope that your clients remain and that you get many more.
Al the best and much success, Bob!
Blessings!
David
So, so true, Bob.I know you are doing what you are doing not for the rank or glory.
But I want to publically say that I am one of those who you immensely helped, answering endless mail and doing things on the site. Without you it wouldn't look the way it looks now.Thank you thousands times.
And yes, take a rest Refill your pitcher. I will pray for you. Right now.
Peace, friend.:)))
Thanks my dear friend, the full enjoyment of helping you has been to see you grow and become more confident. You have accomplished quite a lot in a short time and you have a ton of potential. I will continue to encourage you and am thankful for your friendship. Peace Vera. :-)
You are so very kind and generous, King Bob. Thank you. I pray that God be returning everything in abundance and that you be really rejuvinated. God bless!:)
See more comments
Hi Bob, best wishes with whatever time you need to take for yourself. I don't really know you but what you said about the algorithm and 'measuring help and value' is so true
- in the training Kyle says ambassadors are social yet in a comment yesterday he says those who help now get ranked higher, so is it help or social that gets rank - well both - with no way to tell who is who
it's very confusing for a newbie to go to the ambassador list and not be able to tell who is social and who knows something and yet magistudios tells people to go to the 25 for advice - I always warn people actually that rank means nothing, though I wish they'd sort it out
basically ambassadorship means nothing in real terms at this point because there are no standards set or tests to pass, but to newbies it could make or break them asking a social ambassador a website/business decision question [which they do], because they will be given an answer by someone who doesn't know yet wields 'authority' in here
I don't think any algorithm can ever tell who is actually helping, even all the people who answer questions can be saying just about anything - like with a spell check program - it can never tell coherence or even baseline truth
maybe it will evolve, it takes people to say what you just said, and another point is only one personality type is presented on the dashboard, the quiet intelligent hard working type who could be helping in the background will step back from publishing and commenting all the time and leave those chasing rank with fluff answers to their own devices
Thank you Mary, much appreciated. I have spent a lot of time helping people in ways that can never be measured here, and I will return to that - just not today. I need to focus on my life and my business, and allow those impressed with gold stars and shiny objects to pursue things to their heart's content.
You can tell I don't mind speaking up. Good grief, I have been through enough in this life to cause most people to hide under a rock. I will continue to speak the truth in love and with respect, but I will speak the truth. If that offends someone, or I get spanked or placed in time out for it, I could really care less. Peace my friend. :-)