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SFDC99 update!

July 4, 2015

It’s been an incredible 3 months since I made a major life change and stepped away from SFDC99!

To say I learned a lot about myself during this time would be an understatement.

Many of you wrote me letters while I was gone. I read each one of them. You told me how SFDC99 helped you, your friends, and your teammates. I listened, with a smile. Some of you even told me stories about how this site changed your life and your career. These stories always warm my heart.

I learned that SFDC99 is probably the best thing I will ever do for this world, and I really mean it.

Ok David, rewind. So what the heck have you been up to these past few months?!

Here’s the full story:

I accepted a position within Google to lead a small engineering team. I believed that if I focused my energy in this role I’d be able to do what I love doing most – inspire people to achieve their dreams.

I still believe in that ideal, but I’ve learned that path isn’t necessarily for me. I found myself often wondering things like “How many people need to report to me before I can help as many as I can through SFDC99” while also thinking of silly new ways I could teach people through this site.

It became harder and harder to ignore these feelings in my heart. I couldn’t give my team the love they deserved because I knew this wasn’t my destiny. So, I stepped down.

What’s next for me I don’t fully know. The team has been gracious in offering me an engineering position, and that’s something I’m going to think about as I take a long break from work to relax, enjoy Summer, and try out some of these wacky new ideas I’ve been brainstorming for SFDC99.

Oh yeah, I’ll probably drink a lot of beer too. This one’s my new favorite:

Stay tuned for more updates soon!
David

61 Comments
Salesforce_addict
August 21, 2015 @ 1:34 am

David, welcome back.

This is Awesome news for all of us.
I was so sad to read of your post once again.

I always wondered how a person with your passion of giving back to the community could just walk away. Now, I guess we know. Without you we can’t imagine Salesforce. You are a true Hero & inspiration to every individual . Looking forward to your coming posts……. And hey plz do go again…….

Reply
    David Liu
    August 22, 2015 @ 11:25 pm

    =)

    Reply
Oliver Hansen
July 21, 2015 @ 2:45 pm

Hi David, really great to read that you’re continuing to help the Salesforce Community. Very much looking forward to this session! AM PDT would be my preference. Enjoy summer and lots of cold beers ;) Cheers, Oliver Hansen

Reply
Lindsey
July 21, 2015 @ 9:15 am

David, I’m so glad you’re back! Your blog is so personally and professionally inspirational, I’m able to keep moving forward with my certifications and studying. I appreciate that you’re back helping the rest of us learn even more about the salesforce platform! Thank you for all the resources on this site.

Reply
Keri-An
July 14, 2015 @ 11:07 pm

I was so sad to read of your post moving away from Salesforce not long after I’d found SFDC99… Just saw the post for the live stream on twitter and thought ‘huh..?’ It seems the whole community is really glad to have you back – and I look forward to discovering more around here!

Reply
Joshua Gates
July 13, 2015 @ 5:15 pm

To say you were missed would be an understatement!
Glad to see another hop head on this site! Try Pliny the Younger if you ever get a chance! It’s epic!

Reply
juergen hoehne
July 9, 2015 @ 9:26 am

David, We in this field, change people’s and organizations lives by fulfilling their purpose via configuration of apps (Salesforce) … Glad to see you coming……. I’m on vacation in Santa Cruz – Biking, hanging with friends. You Change Life by SFDC99 – the very essence.

Reply
    David Liu
    July 9, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

    Thank you for the great compliment Juergen!

    Reply
Amit
July 8, 2015 @ 12:55 pm

Awesome news!!! Looking forward to a whole new SFDC99 2.0 v :)

Keep rocking David!!!

Reply
Donald Bohrisch
July 6, 2015 @ 1:38 pm

Welcome back David, as you can see above… you were missed! VetForce is still around and training if you have time for us as well :D
Russian River Brewery knows whats up… look forward to trying one of those when I get back up to the Bay/NorCal in a month or so

Reply
    David Liu
    July 6, 2015 @ 5:12 pm

    I am always dying to do more with VetForce honestly!!! Let me know how I can help!!

    Reply
Brian
July 6, 2015 @ 1:16 pm

David, welcome back.

Awesome news. Some people go their whole lives without realising where their passions and strengths lie. You’re lucky to be there already. And we’re incredibly lucky to have you back sharing your time and knowledge without asking for anything in return. Can’t wait to see what you have next. You’re like the SF Obi Wan Kenobi. The Force is with you. Pun fully intended. :)

Reply
Chris Robertson (@crob1212)
July 6, 2015 @ 10:58 am

This is GREAT news! Excited to see what’s next.

Reply
Pat Patterson
July 6, 2015 @ 9:09 am

Welcome back, David! Sink a Pliny or two for me!

Reply
    David Liu
    July 6, 2015 @ 11:39 am

    Thank you Pat!! =) Will drink one tonight in your honor! LOL!

    Reply
Mario Korf
July 6, 2015 @ 7:41 am

Glad to have you back, David.

Reply
    David Liu
    July 6, 2015 @ 8:08 am

    Thank you Mario, means a lot from you! =)

    Reply
Candy
July 6, 2015 @ 5:46 am

Welcome back David! You’ve definitely become an inspiration and a lifeline to a whole lot of Salesforce breathing, Salesforce dreaming population :). We’re excited to have you back and look forward to your posts. Always do what you love, it will never feel like work :).

Reply
    David Liu
    July 6, 2015 @ 8:08 am

    hahaha thanks Candy, you rock as always!

    Reply
Aron Schor
July 6, 2015 @ 5:11 am

Glad you are back David. I assumed you left because you had gotten out of a tech and did a complete 180, I guess that wasn’t quite the case. Feel free to do a boot camp in NYC, I’d go!

Reply
Tweets from Wolfie (@wolfieorama)
July 5, 2015 @ 10:44 pm

Welcome back David !!!! this is probabaly the best news this morning for me !!

Reply
    David Liu
    July 6, 2015 @ 1:08 am

    Glad I could make your day Wolfie =)

    Reply
Anonymous
July 5, 2015 @ 7:13 pm

Welcome back!! I’m excited for us. :-)

Reply
David Liu
July 5, 2015 @ 1:22 pm

LOL you’re right!

Don’t worry, I think you’ll like what I have cooking. Announcement soon!

David

Reply
Vishal yadav
July 5, 2015 @ 12:43 pm

Thanks so much for SFDC99! We are all greatful for having found the site.. Enjoy your summer.we’re so lucky that we all are tuch with you sir……thanks

Reply
Larry G.
July 4, 2015 @ 2:50 pm

This is good news for us and I hope good for you!!!!

Reply
Steve B
July 4, 2015 @ 2:11 pm

David, Welcome back. I always wondered how a person with your passion of giving back to the community could just walk away. Now, I guess we know. Not very well. I look forward to seeing what’s next.

Reply
    David Liu
    July 4, 2015 @ 3:01 pm

    You were 100% right, HA!!!

    Reply
Mayank Srivastava
July 4, 2015 @ 2:07 pm

Ah look who’s back!

Reply
    David Liu
    July 4, 2015 @ 3:13 pm

    Mayank!! Hey what have you been up to? =)

    Reply
      Mayank Srivastava
      July 4, 2015 @ 3:24 pm

      Preparing for my DEV 501 exam with your tutorials as the main reference. If I pass this one, there will be another ‘thank you’ email coming your way. =)

      Reply
        David Liu
        July 4, 2015 @ 3:39 pm

        Alright Mayank!! Study hard I believe in you!

        Reply
          Mayank Srivastava
          July 14, 2015 @ 4:38 pm

          Thanks David. I passed the MCQ part of Advanced DEV 501 today. On to the next challenge!

          Reply
            David Liu
            July 14, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

            Well done superstar!!

            Reply
Adam Olshansky (@adam17amo)
July 4, 2015 @ 12:32 pm

Welcome back David! Thanks to all your help I was able to land a new job as a Salesforce Software Engineer in SF and pass the first part of DEV 501. Let me know if you ever make it over to that side of the Bay and would love to connect at Dreamforce as well!

Reply
    David Liu
    July 4, 2015 @ 3:03 pm

    Adam I knew you were a superstar!!! Congrats!!! Woohoo!!!

    Reply
Ifeanyi Agu (@yankitwizy)
July 4, 2015 @ 11:56 am

Another interesting post. It’s always interesting to read your posts

Reply
James Ellis
July 4, 2015 @ 11:38 am

Great to see you back, you’ve inspired me to getup and get out there in the Salesforce world, getting 3 certifications and leaving corporate sales to become a full time contract Salesforce Administrator/consultant. Without coming across your blog and the ‘anyone can do it’ attitude in it then I’m not entirely sure I would have made the jump by now – Thanks! Next is to crack on into my copy of Head First Java……

Reply
    David Liu
    July 4, 2015 @ 11:58 am

    WOW!!

    What a story James! So proud of you!

    I’m sure your story and method would be very interesting to readers here – but that’s up to you if you want to share it!

    Either way, WOW!!

    Reply
      James Ellis
      October 4, 2017 @ 2:57 pm

      just looked back to this :-) Thankyou! I was a little shy about telling a story – however now I’m now a contract developer for a global sass client keeping deep in learning, .. and booked onto my first ever trip over to san fran for DF17 – I’ll say hi and shake your hand in thanks!

      Best
      James

      Reply
Jeremiah kofi
July 4, 2015 @ 9:29 am

Thanks Jim. Will surely put an update!

Reply
Anonymous
July 4, 2015 @ 9:22 am

Thanks so much for SFDC99! We are all greatful for having found the site. Maybe google could do something similar for inspiring training. Enjoy your summer.

Reply
Jeremiah kofi
July 4, 2015 @ 9:17 am

I love you David! You are a star! Welcome back! I will be writing my 5th exams tomorrow making me one of the few people to get 5 Salesforce Certification in 5 weeks. It’s your blog that inspired me, I can’t thank you enough! Will keep you updated and yes! Lightening can strike in the same place three times!

Reply
    David Liu
    July 4, 2015 @ 10:01 am

    Good luck Jeremiah!! WOW!!

    If you ever want to tell your story afterwards, I’ll post it! You will inspire people too!

    Reply
      Jeremiah Kofi
      July 6, 2015 @ 1:33 am

      I did it David! I did it in 5 Weeks! Yes I want to tell my story. Yes I believe it will inspire others too! thanks a lot David! Will email it to you as soon as I finish writing it.

      Reply
        David Liu
        July 6, 2015 @ 8:09 am

        WOW!!!! Lightning struck three times!!!! Can’t wait to read your story!!!

        Reply
Cynthia S.
July 4, 2015 @ 8:39 am

Welcome back! We’ve been missing your inspiring soul. Happy 4th!

Reply
Davinder
July 4, 2015 @ 8:37 am

Woww.. Happy to see your post again and thanx for sharing your experience.. :)

Reply
Jim
July 4, 2015 @ 8:13 am

Happy for you. Hope to see more updates from the site if that’s the direction you go. Happy 4th!!

Reply
meighanrockssf
July 4, 2015 @ 7:22 am

So glad you’re back, welcome! Can’t wait to see what is in-store for the new posts.

Reply
Johnson
July 4, 2015 @ 6:16 am

Glad to have you back. I’m ready to work. Enjoy some time off but I know I’ll be a better SFDC developer with your oversize at SFDC99. Thanks for the update.

Reply
    Johnson
    July 4, 2015 @ 5:19 pm

    gotta proof read better. I meant oversight instead of oversize. David, I’m glad your back!

    Reply
      David Liu
      July 4, 2015 @ 9:57 pm

      Time for me to hit the gym! =P

      Reply
Anonymous
July 4, 2015 @ 5:25 am

Glad!Surprised too but above All- Welcome back my Champ :)) Life is surely going to be more adventurous nd challenging than it was. Waiting for your next post dude:);)

God Bless!!
TC

Reply
geoffreyjflynn
July 4, 2015 @ 4:33 am

That’s a SteveMo favourite :)

Reply
    David Liu
    July 4, 2015 @ 10:02 am

    For good reason!

    Looks like you’ll be seeing SteveMo at the MVP Summit, Geoff =) Congratulations sir!

    Reply
MR Q
July 4, 2015 @ 4:04 am

Since you have some free time, here’s a thought: SF BOOT CAMP with David!

Reply
    David Liu
    July 4, 2015 @ 10:03 am

    Mr. Q!?!? =)

    One of my new ideas may be similar to that!

    David

    Reply
    Johnson
    July 4, 2015 @ 5:22 pm

    Love the bootcamp idea. If this is a possible project, may I please request that it can be done online and in class room settings. I’m in Nashville and would miss out on the fun if were only offered as a classroom experience in SF/Bay area.

    Reply
      David Liu
      July 4, 2015 @ 9:59 pm

      You know I’ve put a lot of thought into a boot camp but I honestly don’t think there’s a big enough audience! Plus, to do it right it would have to be in person. So I’m going to try to find a good solution that meets somewhere in the middle =)

      Reply
        thompsh4
        July 5, 2015 @ 1:11 pm

        You also didn’t think we wanted Visualforce though :P
        But I agree the rest of us will be very jealous if it’s only in Cali!

        Reply

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