I think my consumer clients can feel that something is brewing regarding quitting my job.
I have been getting many calls lately, more than usual it feels, and I have not picked them up.
I checked my voicemail today and I had 15 messages all asking for help.
I think part of me was thinking that as long as I don't tell them I'm wrapping up the business I would still have the security 'feeling' of a job.
Today I decided that I was being an idiot and I needed to make the decision.
I called them all up 1 by 1 and told them that I'm going to do something else with my life.
Unlike with the termination of the contracts (pure business) with these consumer clients I have relationships going back almost a decade.
The reactions were nice though in the end.
Telling another person that you don't have time to help them anymore after 10 years is sort of like breaking up with someone.
Now, I don't have much experience with breaking up.
Hell, the last time I had to go through that I was 17 and in high school.
But similar feelings came back.
You don't want to do it but you know that you have too.
The reaction from the clients was strangely in line with what I remember..
"But....why don't you want me anymore?"
But without the tears.
In some way that was nice. I must have done something right in all those years.
I, of course, thanked all of them for the work they have provided me within the past 10 years and they all wished me good luck on my new adventure.
And that was that.
In the next couple of weeks, I will be having this conversation many times I think.
I must admit, this part of the plan is having a more emotional toll on me than I would have thought beforehand.
It surely is all becoming more real for me now.
I am a witness with our developer group @blockbrothers for the Steem blockchain. If you want to support us I would appreciate your vote here.
We build Steemify a notification app for your Steemit account for iOS.
Get it Here:
In reality, you're closing your business to concentrate more on Mega Man X.
LOL!!!
Man handsame...
A rather just and noble cause, I would add.
Relationships are relationships, whether personal or business.
It's probably just as hard for your clients, as they will now have to seek someone else to do this work for them, and they have no idea how much more $$$ it's going to cost them - that is if they can even find anyone that is as reliable and trustworthy.
Hear hear.
This is a true steemian at work.
Focus is paramount.
You are doing the same thing IT WORK but now with blockchain and less headache I guess.
Good luck with this discipline and Keep on steemin'
Good luck with the new chapter in your career and your life! Change is always difficult, but it seems like you are well prepared for it ;) ... and you never know, you may be able to help again all the same people (and new ones) in a different way in the near future! Godspeed!
It's always so hard to say no to anything that is currently a responsibility in life. Even with much smaller things like participation in various Steem initiatives, when I have to cut something out, it's excruciating before I do it.
Congratulations though dude! I've been following your blog for a year now and I was wondering when you'd go full-time. Makes total sense to me and Steem is lucky to have all of your energy now.
A year already :) And thanks, man! Glad to read I'm not the only one that has this feel.
I remember your previous post where you said you're ending the contract with your hospital; that probably wasn't as hard as this.
Don't feel so terrible about this. It's a great step for you. I'm sure those guys are happy for you too.
It isn't a easy thing to make a decision and stick to it. Well done!
Surprised learn about your high school affair, you seems to be very confident personality right from school days....All the very best with the new blockchain business.
So what does that mean? You become a fulltime Steemian (in addition with blockbrothers)?
I can spend more time with the Steem blockchain, the witness @blockbrothers, and other blockchain endeavors I have going. I'm looking forward to it.
@exyle now you are looking at it as what you absolutely need to do. It is your LIFE Mark and we always come to a FORK (No Pun intended) Then we must make the Choice that we know is right for US..................
@exyle That's exactly the right way to do it! Congrats for pushing through it!
Hey are you anytime building a notif app for steemit on android ?
Yes, It's currently being developed.
Hot damn!! You are truly going for it big style!! Amazeballs dude! Everything will work out awesome for you!
Thank you, man!
Hard decisions. Succes with dealing with it. But at the end you made your OWN decision and that is what matters
I’m glad you’ve been successful enough here to have to make such a tough call 😄
I put myself right in your shoes as I was reading. People rely upon you and it’s hard for them to find someone to rely upon so they like you to stick around. For me it’s patients who know I’ll be available and they can trust me to be non-judgmental and efficient. It’s not trivial to replace well done services. The fact they stuck around for 10 years is proof that you were available, efficient and great to work with. Maybe your change will cause them to step outside their comfort zones also and make changes? We never know the knock on effects of our actions, right? But mostly we have to be responsible for our changes and let folk be responsible for theirs (even where our moves create changes for them).
Hard to let go, especially when work based relationships left behind don’t have a foothold elsewhere in your life.
‘Progress’ needs your input more though 😄.
Hi. i have a question.
I didn't understand what is the exact mean of witness and what is the benefit of it.
I love to follow your articles :) would any one like to tell me about it ?
Sure. Our witness @blockbrothers has written about this in the past. You can find your answer here.
thanks. Really appreciate your reply :)
Oh, yes, my friend, breaking the relationship is always a delicate and unpleasant business. In my life, too, there were such cases and I experienced very protivorichivye feelings, on the one hand you are freed from something, on the other hand it becomes so unfortunate that there is no strength :) In your case, it's good that the clients wished you good luck and did not become offended, But life requires us to change and we must go forward regardless of the difficulties! Thank you Mark, that they shared their feelings!
Hehehe this cracked me up. I can really relate. It's really more like a break up especially when u'v worked with them for as much as ten years. It's more like you guys have established a relationship that was supposed to last forever. I am suprised that they didn't come to tears, especially the female clients.
But it's all good. The basics is that you are happy with your decision and I think that's all that matters for now. Do what makes you happy ad life goes on.
Keep steeming
You have done the right thing @exyle some times you have to let go of what you have at hand so as to see what is ahead, its a powerful step to becoming great and fulfilling purpose in life, although it takes courage and determination. i wish you success in the next phase of your life.
thank you.
I still think it is a brave and cool decision! Some tough moments now I can imagine :-)
I think you did an awesome thing. Not just for your clients but also for yourself.
It's those things that we hesitate to do and most of us end up not doing it, and then we feel bad about it.
But when we do them, it doesn't seem that bad or as hard as we thought it would be and that is how we get out of our comfort zone and learn and grow.
Glad you shared this with us, because it inspires me to never hesitate the things I'm scared or don't want to do, and "Just do it"
Will you dedicate yourself 100% to steemit? Or are you branching out to do anything else?
Steemit and the witness @blockbrothers mostly. But I also have some other blockchain endeavors going.
Happy for you.
Good luck
Nice, it's good to see people dedicated to steemit, i'm still a minnow trying to digivolve into a dolphin, steemit is addictive
change is never easy but you will grow massively and do something with the next chapter of your life. it's normal. in the current climate of work and blockchains it's the right decision.
Thank you so much and yeah, blockchain is indeed the future.
yep its very hard to say no to anyone some time specially for them who didnot use this word in life but now you can di it and tell everyone in good words which make them easier to think abou it ......and feel free
looking forward to your next life and best wishes for you in you life with your family and your next projects and a great success @exyle
Amazing Decision both for you and for steemit. Because i do believe Authors like you are much needed here on steemit to make this platform a place of win-win in all scenarios. I say you a warm welcome with open heart to become the all time steemian.
I have learnt a lot of things from you in all these days and i am very much convinced that you're doing a finest job at your end to make this platform the best place . A big thanks to you for your huge contributions indeed @exyle
My support is always with you My inspiration <3
Stay Blessed, Steem On!
Thank you, man.
You are warmly Welcome The beautiful Soul :) :)
Wow 10 years of history is huge. Are you doing blogging now instead of IT? Or is there something else catching your eye?
yes, and the witness @blockbrothers and some other things I have going.
This is exactly where I am heading with my business at the moment.
I started in 1994 running a web development agency. It is now time for a change.
I've been through the Internet 1.0 and Internet 2.0. Now I really feel I want to focus just on blockchain, steemit and other crypto related work - which to me is Internet 3.0.
But that will mean I will have to say goodbye to the large majority of my clients. I am not sure many of them will be ready to join me on a new journey on the blockchain.
But I will make the offer. Maybe I will be surprised...
Maybe you will be surprised! Good luck with your transition. It's not always easy I have found out. I'm in the middle of it :)
The sun may come out tomorrow. Enjoy your freedom. How is the Christmas tree? Don’t worry! Be happy!
Thank you, man! The Christmas tree...mmm....might still or not be there :/
As I told you already on the phone, your clients will find someone else, you even recommended someone and then they will be happy again.
But you were always very sensible. Even as a young child. And you were very reluctant to say goodbye to something or someone. I even had to throw away old trousers when you were not looking, because you could not say goodbye to it.
Don't be too hard on yourself.
hahaha...surprised again to learn that @exyle was so attached even with old trousers..
Thanks for sharing this with the world! lol! But you are right, walking away from what I know is not my best quality.
Hello dear friend @exyle, today I leave to you thanks to a post that my friend made @hilarski, in some occasions I voted for your work, but I never stopped to read your messages.
It's true what you say, when a working relationship is very long, when breaking is like when you separated from your first girlfriend, I had the same thing over 35 years working under the relationship of dependence of the day I said vast to work in the web, it was like breaking with my first love, I loved your work, count on my vote as a witness.
I wish you a wonderful day.
Thank you for your support for our witness. And it indeeds feels like that. It's the next morning now and I also feel some relief. I'm expecting more calls like the ones I had yesterday today.
I believe you did it for steem. It is a very tough decision to take to wrap up a good and old established bussiness. Doing this for steem at its early stage shows your confidence in the platform. Its definitely a risk but its a risk worth taking. I wish you all the best.
@exyle you have my vote. Thank you for everything you do for Steemit. I invite you and all who read this to please come vote and join in on a contest I am doing called "Together We Build 3" It is a great way for others to interact and get stronger in the Steemit community. Thank you.
That's really brave of you man. I'm taking more steps in that direction but nothing that drastic yet.
You were doing too many things at the same time. It's really hard to concentrate with your blockbrothers on new projects when you have your clients waiting for you.
I'm sure, You've taken the right choice.
I think so too, thanks man.
I'm a contract sociologist. I also have clients that I love dearly and that I have been working with for years now. Some have become personal friends. I would feel the same way if I were calling folks to tell them this!
Best of luck on your new path, that takes courage!
I wish you luck in closing that door and Steeming onto the next level and judging by all the votes, comments and the following you have I think you have the support of us here on Steemit :)
Congratulations, Well I know that It's not an easy decision to make n'either to say NO notably those who have such a big heart like you, but you shouldn't feel sad, It's a great move for you, although always thing that is the best decision for you and for steemit. Do not be hesitate
Thank's for sharing,
Best regards, Steem On!
I always imagine that if it happens to me my experience will be something similar @exyle in one way I would love the freedom but I also feel it will be a little emotional saying goodbye to some folks I have known for a good while or even kicking out the old routine.
It's not you, It's me.
Never easy letting clients go. Had to tell a bunch this year that I would no longer be handling their financial planning. After years of working together towards their goals I had to let them know to find someone else. Some of these clients are in their 80's and really don't want to deal with someone new. Seniors get taken advantage of far to often and they all have heard horror stories so it makes it hard for them to trust new people.
Good that you picked up the phone and let everyone know what was going on. Much better then just dropping them without any communication. You never want to burn a bridge that one day you just might have to cross again.
Yours is an example of exactly why one should never fully turn their futures over to a stranger. It is important to know how every dime is 'invested'. If you can't say I want this, not that; and rely on someone else toying with your hard-earned dollars, then may I suggest gaining the knowledge, before an unsuspecting Madoff crosses your path.
Peace.
Most people really don't know enough to manage their own investments. They know what they are good at and there is no way they will take the time required to understand the markets. For many people it's smarter to pay someone with expertise to take care of their retirement. The key is finding someone with a good track record and that takes the time to understand your needs.
There are some very good financial advisors out there, but there are also plenty of bad ones. Just need to take your time and interview multiple and ask really good questions. Understanding how they are paid is very important as you want to make sure they are giving advise that actually is in your best interest vs earning them the highest commission.
Thankfully, we live in the internet age; and, at the click of a button learn ALL the important questions to ask...including how they are paid.
I suggest recording the interview to process at a later time, away from the 'sell'. Gut instinct is huge. If a red flag pings, walk away.
Peace.
I do not know what you experienced, about the business I do not understand, I'm just an ordinary person, but as a friend I support what's best for friends, thank you for sharing the story of one thing that I want to say is the best for everyone then all good will come when the time comes, my warm regards from steemian indonesia
Well done man. It's important to let go of old relationships that don't serve you anymore in order to allow the opportunity of new relationships to form. You are trying to do something more with Steem and that's awesome. I think you made the right choice. Hopefully, I can also leave my job and focus on what I would like to make a living out of. I don't hate my job, which is why I haven't quit yet. It's just that I feel like it isn't helping me in what I want to do in the future.
@exyle,
You took the decision and I know how hard it is! I have my customer base and I have no guts to say this at this stage! Hope after a year from now I will do the same! 7 years Client base, loosing them while they were very loyal to me is really hard feeling! But we have to take some decisions! Emotions something else, but we have to take that decision at the right time! Wish you a great success with this amazing platform friend!
Cheers~
it's true 10 years is a long time and no doubt saying good bye to your old job or clients is always hard and i think it's human nature, human get addicted to things which they do regularly and once they want to wrap them up then it creates bad feeling and it also create some open space in life but i think this is the reality of life, no one can do one thing forever, i hope after some days you will overcome these feeling, wish you all the best friend for all of your future endeavors! Stay blessed
well really it is going to be hard as you had experienced the people you see daily become like a family over the years so truly a hard thing to say goodbye
I think starting something new always has two sides to it. Even though you are looking forward to the new, greater adventure, you also reminiscent about what used to be. We just tend to be that way - we always seems to romanticize the past :) On another note, I had no idea the app was already developed! I'm going to get it right now.
Congrats. At the end of the day it was the ethical thing to do. Your heart is in the crypto space.
It´s so exciting to watch your transformation. Thank you for letting us being part of your adventure. I called you a "true Steem leader" today in an article and you again proof, that you are! I wish you all the best for your future endeavors!
O wow, thank you man! I'm wondering what the future will bring too! I'm looking forward to it.
The good thing is that you decided to close the door. And you know; you are always able to let somebody in again.
The people where you worked for a capable enough to respect your decission; orherwise they shouldnt asked you for help at the beginning 😊
I sure understand that it is not easy to say goodbye !
Don't feel guilty! It's always hard leveling up! If anything tell them to follow you on steemit and they can create another stream of income for themselves! #LivingTheDream
HAPPY TO SEE U ON STEEMIT MORE OFTEN ,, I THINK U CAN GIVE MORE AND MORE TO THE PLATFORM
Change in hard, it doesn't matter the circumstance.
Wow. Firstly congrats!! and secondly Good Luck. I am happy for you since as far as I could remember being a regular follower. You talked about this dream of yours when you had roughly 75k steem power. Now its more than 50% appreciated. Cheers!!