A couple of days ago I got a call.
I couldn't pick up (was watching Sam) so it went to voicemail.
On my voicemail, I'm informing my clients that I'm going to call it quits.
When I later checked who called I saw a familiar name.
One of my oldest clients.
Mr. and Ms. Web.
I rang them back and they were in a slight panic....
You are not going to quit on us, are you!
Now, when I say oldest clients I mean it.
I think they are client number #7.
Back then (2008) I didn't own a car.
They lived in the next town so it was a good 30 minutes by bike with all my gear.
Because I opted to be professional I hid my bike in another street and walked to the door.
Very Genius!...Much professional!...
Except for all the sweat dripping off my face...
I quickly came clean and they couldn't care less about the bike.
I helped them perfectly with their problem that day and they were happy.
That's what they did care about.
And they been my clients ever since.
They were fairly old then but they are even older now.
Computers and Smartphones are tough enough as it is and they don't want to rely on anyone else.
I have told them they can always call me and I asked about the problem.
They got a 'new iPhone' (read: Iphone5) and the Vodafone store couldn't help them change everything from the previous iPhone without throwing everything away.
There was panic.
An easy enough job. So I went there today.
It's very easy the change iPhones so it took about 20 minutes to do it.
I was already packing my bag.
But then.....he showed up...
"Can you also look at our computer it's giving an error."
A question like this is known as 'the scope monster' in my field.
I got the term from @s3rg3.
All my alarm bells should have started ringing straight away!
But the scope monster pops it's head up when you least expect it.
And before you know it, you hear yourself say 'yes, no problem'.
Soon, I found myself wadding knee deep in windows 10 errors.
The exact sort of thing I don't enjoy anymore.
Two hours later I did solve it and but I was destroyed :)
They were very happy though, so that's good.
For me, it was a good reminder that this isn't the life I want anymore.
Still, I will go there when they call, they deserve it but it will be by my own free will and not because I need it.
A that's a huge difference.
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Whoa, You have a big heart. At least they called you for impeccable service.
Do not let any crypto or anything else destroy that bond.
Keep on steemin'
That's cool. It feels good to help someone out when you can. Like you said, because you want to and not have to. It does make a big difference! Thanks for the post!
O man, that scope monster is always there! Even when you least expect him! Great job on helping them though.
It's such a great term.
Very nice in telling like this because everyone should have their respective talents comrades ... @exyle
@exyle Mark you have a Big Heart and I know you would go out of your way to help any and all who ask for HELP.....The hardest thing I have learned to do finally in my Life is to say NO. When You can do that you will relieve the rest of the Stress that a ScopeMonster may cause you. I have always wanted to please people all my life and yes it does not always feel good to do that. The Clean Break from all of your old Customers is difficult but you know you need to do it...................
'Very genius, Much Professional!' I don't know why phrases like that always get me to laugh. I guess it isn't that great with sweat dripping from your face but st least they didn't care.
It is amazing how they have been a client of yours since 2008 and after all these years they have still stayed connected. I hate trawling through windows errors.
You are probably better at dealing with them compared to me but they still consume so much time and suck every bit of energy from you.
Once you resolve the error you don't get ecstatic and happy. You are just relieved that the torment is over.
Also is it just me or has there been some issues with Steemit. I recently did a post, I had some transaction error so I clicked 'post' again and another thread was produced. Others seem to be commenting on the problems as well. I hope they get resolved.
Have a great day @exyle! :)
I also like the doge meme talk :) There have been a few issues here and there. I noticed them too. But they seem to be resolved.
This is so recognizable. I once went on an intake at an prospect client. They wanted a website with a webapplication for a daycare centre for kids. The application 'only' had to hold all the information (a easy database). Both the ladies didn't had a clue of what they wanted, and for me at that point it was also not clear... Finally when I was completely finished it was a complete billing system with automatic mail and bill sending. For that moment an state of the art application, but a big scope-creeper.. And the sucker I am, I didn't want to put the ladies in huge costs, so it costed me a lot of time and for that time thus money.... So I've been there and know exactly what you mean... :)
Everyone that works in IT, has been hit by the Scope monster at least once!
You got that right... But in this kind of situations it is a kind of satisfying. :)
lol, Ive never heard that term before but completely recognise it...back in 1998 when i set up my IT support service , I walked the streets every day in my local town pushing leaflets with a list of my services and my mobile number through letterboxes. The jobs I used to hate back then were setting people up on the net, dial-up 33.6k modems were the order of the day and the time I spent on the phone with aol or virgin support..nightmare. Then just when i was about to leave....'you couldn't have a look at my printer could you' ? driver issues on the 'new' usb printers. Nightmare. I used to walk to most jobs back then and when I had enough cash, spent £500 on an old van....happy days :-) funny how sometimes a post brings back such similar and vivid memories!!
It's so recognizable!
"while you are here could you take a quick look..." (aka not charge me) at problem X. I think the term scoop monster covers all that perfectly.
exactly..at no extra cost lol..
lol. I got in to these kind of situations so Manny times. Since I’m a contractor and with so Manny clients it happens with everyone of them. But the only difference is that it’s still my job.
However, once you have your client, they for whatever reason become attached to you.
well it's great to see you are still helping your old clients even though you are not interested in this job anymore, i think helping old clients and keep old relations alive is a great course and it give so much inner happiness. wish you a fantastic week ahead friend! Stay blessed
Oh yes, I understand you perfectly, my friend, although you decided to live a different life now and distance yourself from the old work, but there are moments in life when you can not refuse very old acquaintances, this also happens to me, even if sometimes we get a problem from this, we still take a step toward the meeting. I think it is necessary for our inner balance! Thanks Mark
Nice post. The scope monster happens to me all the time. Friends, families and even aquintance. And one will end up saying yes so as for the party be happy
But looking at the bright side... You made someone smile. That's good enough
I totally agree @exyle it has a completely different feel when you're choosing to go somewhere not because you have to.
How exciting to think these days will soon be behind you though and good to get the reinforcement that this is definitely not what you want to do anymore. 😊
Windows is a killer when you are trying to fix something. Good for you that you will continue to help them out. For some of the older people the world of computers and smartphones is a total mystery!
Many times the labor links go beyond the business, which starts as an alternative work can end up being something very similar to friendship.
Very good gesture of your part dear friend @exyle congratulations.
I wish you a great day
I hate even fixing my own equipment, fixing other peoples would suck
I can relate, nowdays I just want stuff that works :)
props for doing something that's important --- too always remember where you are from. .. ;) good job! :)
It just surprised me how fast the interest for my old work has faded. It was a good reminder.
yeah we don't realise that sometimes. we kinda take this like everyone knows it but we really are light years ahead on many regards.
The "scope monster" sounds like you are being targeted by a sniper :). What does it refer to?
The increase of the 'scope' of an assignment. You come for one thing and the clients try to insert more problems for you to fix for the same fee. (in this case for free, I won't charge them for any of it).
The scope monster is always hiding in the darkness, waiting to bite you!
Be careful, maybe they have twenty cousins who also need to fix their pc!
LOL!
Wow hid your bike in another street and walked to the door to look pro something I would of done myself lol, ah now I know what you mean by the the scope monster I have experienced it myself and not always handled it aswell as you @exyle but as you say they deserve it.
It has taken me over 10 years to escape my ‘old’ life of doing IT related consulting favors. I don’t get asked any more. I don’t miss it at all!
I doubt I will miss it either. But once in a while, it's ok. At the moment I'm still in it. contracts will end around April.
@exyle and @s3rg3. Scope Monster is the best term I have heard in while. My old job had be constantly be cornered by it. Often losing hours on other peoples tech issues.
Now I have similar issues with data validation etc. where I identify one issue which in turn flags another and another etc.
Now I have a term for it. Thanks LOL
Thank you for this beautiful story!
What was your old job? Helping people with computer and tech problems? I thought, that you were working in the medical field? Well, I guess, these computer problems can soon become a medical problem too 😂
I think I been too unclear regarding this. I have doctors offices as clients. I work in IT, self-employed. The contracts will be canceled soon though.
I thought you were in finance sector.Because you are very sucesful on this field. Giving your time to your ex-clients another very nice side of you mr @exyle. Helping someone always return in good ways. Karma!
That sounds like the most professional thing to do is to hide your bike. :)
You are really awesome with your clients , i like the fact you served them full heartedly with a pure heart , it's rare to find who can serve you in such a manner .keep it and never disapoint your old clients.
that's life, hahaha, but you are too kind to it
Nice one @exyle. Sometimes these older customers who knew us before the big bucks rolled in, you jusr have to be nice to them. I like the facr that you have promised to at least, be there for them not because of the pay. That's from a good heart !
itz amazing that life z over, i suppose itz thanks to Steemit. Great stuff that you're being reminded of where you were. I covet this and hope to come to this point you're on.
Wow !!!
Some of experience are bad and some are good..
It was your bad experience...@exyle
it is really your kindness symbol.becsuse you helped me your oldest client solution doing her problem.if they are your old client. your client computer most problem doing error.you repair this computer only 2o minites.its your good quality.I hope that your client this time very happy.because you solution this problemly perfectly.I know you are a real and good person in the steemit platform.your every post thought very good.I am always learning a lot of new of your post.thank u very much for your nice post sharing.a perfect man may a perfect choice alltime.everything is mindblowing sir.good job.... @exyle
Wonderful... Good to know that that's not a life you desire any more. You have found a more better life with steemit. I aspire to share the same testimony if I run my STEEM MUSIC project to the peak. Thanks @exyle for your support on my blogg, I have started blogging @steemmusicng for musical promotion of steemit. Very soon I'd say I don't desire a life of stress anymore but I could visit some of my clients that deserve it
great post good job.
It's not just about professionalism also about humanity.You could not deny them because you are attached to them with some old memories.It shows that you are a good man.Every one wants freedom from all boundaries .What you have achieved already.Thanks for the post ,i always try to folloe your post.@resteemed
nice story, excllent writing
Because I opted to be professional I hid my bike in another street and walked to the door.
Very Genius!...Much professional!...
perfect lines writing skills hat's off
Wow sir you are doing great job and humanatism motivations for the people God bless you brOther
Its nice when you see old people and help them with technology because its hard for them. Its like rocket science to them. Your work is really nice
You did well with them, i imagine the situation while you heared the voice mail, pleasing to read that good work, take a look on my last post im sure u ll enjoy
nice story.. good writing..thanks for your sharing..
You are really awesome with your clients , i like the fact you served them full heartedly with a pure heart , it's rare to find who can serve you in such a manner .keep it and never disapoint your old clients.
Wow, it's really a wonderful story I enjoyed reading
that was so lovely of you to help them, you made them happy because of your effort and show respect to your client at least you made them happy , hence they are not that so techy enough hehe
I appreciate your determination @exyle ;)
I really like your post :)
The feeling of helping someone is amazing, but getting ill feeling doing that can be very frustrating. Nonetheless, looking at the bright side will keep one focused. Keep up the good work Sir @exyle
I believe "Karma" if you do something by your free will and for good causes it will come back to you when you need most. I'm glad world has people like you.
Very deep telling like this because everyone should have our talents each of his friends ... @exyle.😁🤗
Smiles,i really can relate to all you have said and I love your good attitude towards what you do. I will just advice you continue doing your best not minding if it's not paying now but sincerely it might be a test of time. You will surely hit loads rewards where you didn't actually stress yourself at all and that's when your previous good work with humility starts paying. Shine On
You spent 2 hours on things you had retired on because of commitment to those people.
That's so honorable of you.
Mission creep is a project management phrase that means the same as scope monster. I can relate to wanting to change you life direction, but having folks who believe that the sun rises and sets in your skills and they can't do without you. Your concern and help to them, even if reluctantly, speaks to the quality mettle you're made of. What I've done in this situation is find my replacement, introduce him/her to them and assure them if they are not happy you are a phone call away. I've never had a call after that.