If You Want a Job Well Done, Give It to Busy People

How 8 Busy and Caring Volunteers Made a Monumental Difference Lowering My Stress and Delighting Writers and Readers on this Illuminating Community

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Editorial Note:

Writers/Readers of Medium can read this story for free using our friend’s link. This inspiring story was donated by

Dr Mehmet Yildiz

to ILLUMINATION’S Substack Library to inspire and motivate writers to write for passion and compassion, not just for money on Medium, where words truly matter. Thank you for being a valuable member of our diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community.

We kindly request your support as we navigate the challenges posed by Medium. Please consider leaving a comment on the Medium version of this story, sharing your experiences and thoughts openly. Your engagement is crucial for the survival and prosperity of our community.

In positive news, eight additional editors have successfully cleared a backlog of over 2000 stories, as Dr. Yildiz details in this article. This achievement allows us to streamline our publishing process and accommodate the over 1000 new writers eagerly waiting to join our community.

To manage this influx effectively, we are in the process of hiring a contract administrator, as the workload exceeds what our volunteers can handle alone. Your patience during these demanding times is deeply appreciated. We will continue our free services as Dr Yildiz articulated recently.

Should your story experience delays exceeding 48 hours, please log a ticket in our priority helpdesk on Illumination’s Slack workspace, where our team of 155 volunteer moderators stands ready to expedite your submissions. Enjoy the story 💖

Photo by Clint Maliq from Pexels

How 8 Volunteers Transformed a Crisis at Illumination, Creating Hope Amidst the Storms

Last week, I wrote a heartfelt article expressing profound concern about the challenges confronting our publication, Illumination, which significantly heightened my stress and nearly prompted me to reconsider my options on this platform. It was titled Patience: ILLUMINATION Backlog Reached 2000+ Submissions and the Future of I-C Uncertain.

With a backlog of over 2000 submissions, the future seemed daunting to me. My stress levels soared, and 30 dedicated editors felt hopeless.

Worst of all, during this crisis, the most active editor of ILLUMINATION’s Mirror resigned as Medium accidentally suspended her account, and she got very upset. Out of nowhere, I received a message from my friend living in France offering to help. Sylvain Zyssman appeared like rain in a parched land, fixing the broken Mirror. I interviewed him recently. And another hero K. Joseph kept checking giving me and the team morale.

Yet, amidst the turbulence, a group of extraordinary individuals stepped up, demonstrating the incredible power of community and unwavering dedication. Their inspiring commitment turned a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a triumph of collective effort.

Eight additional remarkable volunteers, already juggling demanding careers and personal commitments, answered the call for help.

Their selfless act wasn’t just about clearing a backlog. It was about upholding the values that define Illumination — promoting creativity, knowledge-sharing, and a sense of belonging.

As their unwavering commitment unfolded, their impact was inspiring and uplifting. Day and night, they tirelessly reviewed, edited, and published each submission with meticulous care and unwavering dedication. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

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Tribute to all 155 editors and a special shout to 8 Heroes of ILLUMINATION

Photo by Karolina Kaboompics from Pexels

While 30 volunteer editors were diligently managing the current drafts and another 155 worked on our other publications, eight heroes emerged, demonstrating exceptional leadership and care.

Their extraordinary efforts cleared over 2000 stories that had been waiting in the backlog for more than 20 days, exemplifying their unwavering dedication and commitment to our community.

Here is a glimpse of our conversations in the bustling editorial room, spanning across all continents and time zones, highlighting the tireless efforts of these remarkable individuals.

1 — Senior editor Mike Broadly, DHSc left message on Illumination Slack Workspace saying “I did a little bit of dent last few days and nights and now it is around 380… But Illumination is just one among many I contribute.”

2 — Another senior editor who came the rescue, The Sturg (Gerald Sturgill) echoed this sentiment, remarking, “I’m an editor in 21 publications… I know busy.”

3 — Then another senior editor who was on sick leave for over two months, Kurt Dillon chimed in with a touch of humor, saying, “Aside from owning 3 pubs here, in real life I own a very busy media company… Boredom? What’s that?” Even with their busy lives, they found the time and energy to help.

4 — On Friday, our legendary Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming) formal boost nominator, sent a message saying, “Dr. Yildiz, good news, I took my time in lieu today and published 100 stories from Illumination and 10 exceptional stories from ILLUMINATION-Curated.” He went on to mention the tireless efforts of other volunteers like Gerald, Kurt, Sobaan, Douglas, Brooklyn, Lawson, and Mike. Their collective energy and enthusiasm were contagious.

5 — Another hardworking editor, M. Sobaan Saeed who recently graduated from a prestigous science school sent a message saying he spent several hours to publish hundreds of self-published stories which will no longer accept. We will write a bulletin about it soon as self-published stories no longer perform.

6 — A senior editor and full-time high school teacher, Brooklyn Muse (editor), exemplified unwavering kindness and patience, ensuring that editors, even in their rush, always communicated positively despite the mistakes of writers who forgot to caption their photos or made other errors that blocked the flooded publishing queue. She acted with the gentle wisdom and warmth of a kind grandmother, nurturing a supportive and encouraging environment for all.

7 — During this crisis, the devoted wife of 64 year old Lawson Wallace had to call 911 twice due to the overwhelming stress and workload he endured. Despite these alarming circumstances, Lawson continued to publish stories while waiting for Olivia in the emergency room. His unwavering dedication to our community shone through, highlighting his incredible commitment and resolve amidst adversity.

8 — Our intrepid new editor, Douglas Kwon, bravely stepped into the fray. Armed with passion and a sense of duty, he dived headfirst into the mountain of submissions. As a linguist, he managed to publish 15 difficult stories with the finesse of a seasoned editor. But then, as if scripted by the gods of irony, Douglas encounters the dreaded Medium bug. Not once, but twice!

Despite his unwavering dedication and the precious time he donates to our cause, this notorious bug rears its ugly head, slamming the brakes on his progress. You would think that after five years, Medium might have exorcised this digital demon. But alas, no. Each time it strikes, I find myself logging yet another ticket, shaking my head in disbelief.

For a taste of the hilarity and frustration this bug has caused over the last four years, check out my 2020 classic, “Interesting Scenario, But Not Funny.” It is a tale as old as time — or at least as old as Medium’s persistent glitches.

Now, I was told that readers who tried to leave a comment on this story can no longer do so. They believe Medium has censored this beautifully poignant story, written in honor of a retired editor who passed away recently. This deeply saddens me, as it was meant to celebrate his legacy. I will soon write a tribute to honor his memory and contributions.

These extraordinary efforts serve as a powerful testament to the age-old adage my mentors often shared with me during my 42 years in the demanding business world:

“If you want something done, give it to a busy person.”

This wisdom, proven time and again, highlights the remarkable dedication and effectiveness of those who thrive even amidst the busiest of schedules.

These volunteers, driven by their passion and unwavering belief in our community, accomplished an extraordinary feat and set a new standard for dedication and teamwork. Their remarkable efforts dissolved the 2000+ story backlog, demonstrating that collective commitment can overcome even the most daunting challenges.

Their actions resonate far beyond the immediate crisis. They have reignited a sense of hope and solidarity within our community, reminding us that even the most formidable challenges can be overcome through unity and determination.

Their story is a testament to the transformative power of selfless service and the profound impact that a few dedicated individuals can have.

As we move forward, we carry the spirit of these volunteers within us. Their example will continue to inspire and guide us as we navigate future challenges and strive to build an even stronger, more vibrant community. Together, we will continue to illuminate minds, inspire hearts, and create a space where every voice is valued and every story has the potential to shine.

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Why I Wrote This Heartfelt Story and What Can We Learn from It

These eight volunteers, driven not by obligation but by a deep-seated commitment to our mission, stepped up without hesitation. Day and night for five days, they poured their hearts and souls into reviewing, editing, and publishing each submission with meticulous care and unwavering dedication.

Their effort wasn’t just about clearing a backlog. They wanted to make a community survive and thrive when it hit rock bottom due to Medium’s restrictions, showing the power of community and collective action. In the face of adversity, they exemplified the spirit of service and selflessness, reminding us all that busy hands and caring hearts can move mountains.

Reflecting on this experience, I remember a wise saying:

“If you want something done, give it to a busy person.”

These volunteers got the job done and did so with a level of excellence and efficiency that inspired everyone around them.

Their actions speak volumes about the strength of our community and the power of individuals coming together for a common cause.

They have set a standard of dedication that will resonate within Illumination for years to come, showing us that amidst challenges, there lies immense opportunity for growth and solidarity.

As we progress, let us carry the lessons from these remarkable volunteers. Remember that no challenge is too great when faced with determination and unity. Together, we will continue illuminating minds, inspiring hearts, and building a brighter future for all who contribute to our cherished community.

We are now extending this vibrant community to Substack.com. Join us because in our community, the more, the merrier! Substack.com offers immense capacity and is already thriving with 20 million subscribers, poised to welcome the ILLUMINATION community.

Together, we will continue to illuminate minds and hearts through Substack.com, building on our legacy of dedication and creativity that has enriched Medium.com over the last 5 years.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life. Thank you for joining the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack.

How I Architected a Charity Organization & Why I Will Run It Like a Business
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