Are You A Google Junkie

Google this, Google that, Google Google Google.......

My name is Debbie and I am a Google PR Junkie.

I have to laugh at myself as I say that. Because to me I was a Google PR junkie. I had to know what my PR was everyday! Sometimes more than once a day (ok, ok, i'll admit) everyday I checked at least four times a day to make sure my PR was still the same or maybe to see if it had moved up a notch. Yep I was definitely addicted to Google. I thought Google was the light at the end of the tunnel. If Google said I was a certain PR then by all means it was right. Why? Cause Google said.

To me it was reassuring to see that little green line move across the bar. I always felt like I was in a casino and had just pulled the handle on the slot machine as I sat and waited too see where the little green line would stop. Silly, isn't it? But yet, I know I'm not alone. There are many of us out there that live by the little green line. Well, I'm here to announce that I have just recently put myself in Google PR recovery. Yes, I am having a few withdrawal symptoms but nothing I can' t handle.

I know you're thinking why did I have to put myself in recovery? Well, one day that little green line was not very nice to me. In fact, there was no green line at all. Now of course this had to be a mistake because just two hours before I still had my PR4. So there was no way this was accurate. But after ---- geesh I can't even remember how many more times I pulled the Google handle it still came up with no green line. At that moment I began to feel betrayed, why was Google doing this to me when I had been such a faithful player.

I couldn't understand why that would happen. I had been adding content-- something Google loves. I had been doing my linking. So I was beginning to take it personally that Google just didn't like me. So after a few days of analyzing (and yes moping too). I decided that I didn't need Google! Who was Google to tell me that my site didn't have a PR? I knew I had been working hard on my site and as long as I knew that, that was ok with me.

Well, come to find out I did still have my PR I just had to go about looking for it in a different manner (without the www). Was Google trying to trick me? Well, from what I have understood Google gets confused at times which is acceptable, it happens to the best of us. But I still am keeping myself in recovery. I can see now that my life was being controlled by the green line. I will not allow that to happen again. Besides, I think if maybe I just stop focusing so much on it, It will move up faster.

So my advice to any other Google PR Junkie....don't worry about the green line. As long as you know you are doing your work and you are getting traffic to your site then you know things are ok. Focus more on the things you can control, and forget the uncontrollable green line.

This article was written by Debbie Reyes webmaster of http://www.extra-income-work-at-home-mom.com

Other articles by this author »
About Debbie Reyes

Thie article was written by Debbie Reyes webmaster of http://www.extra-income-work-at-home-mom.com


And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Project Office: Help or Hindrance?

The Project Office is often seen as a nuisance or a threat, but can be a useful resource and networking opportunity. Here's a tale of two offices...

The Reformed Project Office

Perhaps one of the most difficult things for John, the project support guy on the ordering system project, was trying to second guess Mac, the project manager. He knew the change control process needed improving to pass their project audit by the quality assurance group, but wasn't sure what format to use.

As Mac wasn't in the office, he had a word with Debbie, the senior designer, who always seemed to know what to do.

"Why don't you try the central project office? Mac doesn't think much of them, but they've got a new manager, so things might be different now," offered Debbie.

"Why doesn't Mac like the project office?" wondered John.

"Well, he thinks they waste time by expecting endless reports and don't offer much help. In a way, he has a point. The project office is not very popular. You haven't been here long, so you wouldn't know, but most people avoid it."

"Okay, but as you say, the new manager may have brought a new approach. I'll go and see them and find out. Thanks."

John had a meeting with Jeanine, the new project office manager, the next day. Debbie was right, Jeanine did have a new approach.

"I'm determined to change the image of the project office from that of policeman to partner," Jeanine enthused.

Over a coffee, she showed John her objectives:

  • streamline reporting to one report per project
  • make useful templates available, without imposing them
  • put people into contact with topic experts
  • provide advice on methods, tools and techniques
  • provide skills training where necessary
  • do project health checks if requested
  • provide project kick-off support
  • check project alignment with strategic goals
  • maintain lessons learned repository

"Wow, there's stuff in there that will certainly help me!" John was impressed.

John explained his position and the need for a revamped change control process.

"Well, we can provide you with an example change request form and log. You can use them as is, or alter them to suit your own purposes. Also, I can put you in touch with Alan, an experienced project manager, who can walk you through the process, which again, you can amend as necessary. And if you have any problems, just call us." Jeanine was extremely friendly and helpful.

"Thanks Jeanine, but what about Mac? He is apparently very resistant when it comes to the project office." John was concerned he would get a negative reaction from Mac.

"Don't worry, I'm meeting with all the project managers who are not yet on board with the changes in the project office. Once he sees the benefits, he'll be a convert! I'm very used to dealing with tough customers!"

John felt like he had discovered a goldmine. He would definitely be making good use of the project office in the future. However, he thought he would wait until Mac had met with Jeanine before showing him the new change control process.

For more project management stories, see:
http://www.project-management-insights.com

Other articles by this author »
About David Stoneman

I am a PRINCE2 practitioner, ISEB certificated and a member of APM. My experience as a Project Manager has been gained working for a consultancy on large client company sites over many years. Prior to this my career spanned system development, team leading, project leading and project support office management.

Copyright 2005 www.project-management-insights.com, all rights reserved.