Three Thursdays ago I asked for your thoughts about Moodscope. As ever, our Moodscopers responded in droves. In fact well over fifteen hundred survey forms were completed, thank you. While most of its questions were multiple-choice, a couple were open-ended, and if I tell you that just one of these produced over fifty pages of densely-typed responses, you'll have an idea of the slightly formidable task we face in following up this abundance of suggestions.
Perhaps even more galling is having to admit that we've a list of hundreds (hundreds!) of people to whom our members want to introduce us, as they're folk they think could help us. Why should this be galling? Quite simply we're a tiny team with insufficient resource to follow up these amazing offers anything like as quickly as we should. It makes me feel bad that we asked for help, then have drowned a bit under a tsunami of generous responses.
The first thing to say, therefore, is a big thank-you for recommending so many amazing-looking potential allies and helpers. The second is to ask for your patience while we do our utmost to get back to everyone. I'm afraid it could take a fair time.
And this brings me to my third point. I work on Moodscope full time but spend a substantial proportion of each week writing my daily messages to you. (They began three years ago in February 2010 and there are well over 1,000 messages in the archive.) My dilemma is that I need to work on Moodscope itself to move it on, but while I'm writing most days there's never a proper opportunity to do so.
So here's what we've decided. From now until February 28th we hope you'll permit us to re-run a month's worth of previously published daily messages: a chance for you to re-visit old friends or to catch up with those you may have missed. Importantly, doing so will free me to invest all my time and energy in Moodscope itself - there's work which sorely needs doing.
As ever, we'd love Moodscopers' reflections on each day's posts (via our Blogspot). Since we only introduced the commenting facility just before Christmas, none of February's posts will have been commented on before, so you'll be breaking new ground when you do so. And can I just say that we LOVE it when Moodscopers talk to each other through the comments. It gives us the biggest kick.
Thank you for your understanding while this happens. Right, time for me to get to work.
Happy to read 'new' posts, as they will be to me having been receiving daily posts for only a few weeks now. Always inspirational. Bring 'em on :-)
ReplyDeleteHave been reading moodscopes ever since they started. Am so delighted to be able to re-read some from the past over the next month as they are gems. i think its a great idea.
ReplyDeleteWell done you! As everyone here on Moodscope will agree - no worries! You have put in the hours building up an amazing resource and now things are changing (for the best) so use your past messages with pride. Mmmmm! "change". I'm sure you've mentioned that one before!
ReplyDeleteAs for workload - maybe your local college could help you to find an apprentice which is a very worthwhile investment.
Very best wishes to you and your team. Yay!
Great idea, I also often re-read the daily posts, so looking forward to to being reminded.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll miss it, so I'm sure you'll squeeze a fresh one in occasionally, just to check we’re paying attention ;-)
ReplyDeleteGo for it, but I also look forward to your return. Best wishes to all the team and keep up the good work.
I think revisiting old posts is a great idea, especially as it will perhaps take some pressure off you while you concentrate on other parts of Moodscope.
ReplyDeleteThe other idea that occurred to me reading your post is the possibility of perhaps asking people to write guest posts. It is something I've started to do with my own blog. It free's my time up a bit, gives a fresh perspective and I also find it increases the reach of my blog because the guest authors promote their posts through social media.
I am sure if you asked lots of Moodscope users would want to help. It would take time to read submissions but you would probably end up with a good store of posts to share.
Just a thought :-)
It's great you had so many responses to your survey. It shows what a committed to Moodscope bunch we are and a recognition of the enormous help we have received from you. Whilst I guess Moodscope must move forward and should definitely listen to our comments (!), sometimes I feel that if something works which this does, it might not be necessary to introduce any radical changes? I think from what you say Jon, you need time to analyse the results of the survey which of course you do.
ReplyDeleteI guess I selfishly want to cling onto to something which in it's present form, works so well for me;it has changed the way I view my life and continues to do this in such a positive way.
Anyway of course I trust you and your team to develop Moodscope so that it helps us all and I wish you all the best over the next month or so.
Well done Jon, smart move. I really like it that you've named a problem, found a solution, and politely invited everyone in to engage with it, so it doesn't feel imposed. And frankly I'm amazed that you've managed to create 1000 different messages so far, what an achievement - surely no readers would be able to remember them all and spot the repeats, even if you hadn't owned up (but I guess you wouldn't be happy doing it on the QT:).
ReplyDeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteDo it, fine idea, feel no guilt. Your writings are worth several airings, if not actually a book. Look after yourself, as you are always telling us to. You do realise, I hope, that we are all your buddies and we are right behind you, not leaning on you but holding you up. We are all like a bunch of Emperor penguins in the snow, keeping out the icy blast together.......
I should know.
She from the Far North.....
Hi She!
DeleteYes, a book someday . . . great idea! I'd consider it a terrific investment, and of course, I'd be gifting copies to some friends who could benefit.
I think - like the above - that this is a great idea - and good for you Jon. Thanks for the honesty however and the checking in and checking out about things as ever. I shall look forward to re-reading postings - see if any of my favourites reappear?! All the best for the work you do in the time saved as well!
ReplyDeleteWow, Jon, what a great response to your survey request!
ReplyDeleteKnow what? Your messages are worth reading more than once, for sure, and I'm looking forward to the "reprints." In fact, I foresee great things in your future where publications are concerned. Perhaps a "Moodscope Pick of the Day" mobile app or website (or both!) where we can enter a keyword and read an appropriate note from you? (AKA, "Just Ask Jon.") Or click to read a random Moodscope? Or a perpetual calendar as an app or printed piece? I can hardly wait to see where you go with this next.
Firstly, brilliant idea, Lynne - how about doing some crowd-sourced indexing or tagging of Jon's blogs to allow keyword 'pick of the day' access?
DeleteSecondly, I agree with the other posters that it's amazing how Jon comes up with such a variety of takes on things.
Thirdly, how about putting 'Like/unlike' buttons of some sort on the emails?
I read those pretty much every day, but visit the blog rarely (this is about my second time!) That way, it might save Jon having to spend time working out which top 100 to include in his first compilation?
Kit
I have often thought how does he come up with this every day? Surely some of the historic posts must be worth a second or third airing. Well done, and thanks.
ReplyDelete