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I’m spoiled. I admit it. I like certain challenges, especially those that push me to be better and stronger. What I don’t like is those little challenges that basically keep you from attacking the larger ones. Like emails that demand attention to the nagging details of life. Calls from people who want something–now–that you’re not even capable of providing, although they want you to tell them who can.
Vague, I know. But this is a public blog, and I don’t feel as if I can be more specific. Bottomline is that yesterday, I had people constantly in my face, demanding attention in a way that was preventing me from getting my job done. Truthfully, I don’t get paid enough to be screamed at by folks who, while frustrated, have already been told that I’m not the person who can help. Once would be bad enough. Yesterday, it was seven…
Still, I tried. I sent a few emails out, trying to locate someone who could help. Don’t know if it’ll do any good. I’m hoping that just venting at me might help. At least four of these incidents occurred because of some minor misunderstandings, which had lasting consequences.
All of this is to lay out what I think is good advice to anyone, no matter what you do. I am sometimes lax myself about these steps…even though I had a very wise boss who tried to imprint them on my brain some time ago.
1) Get it in writing. No matter what comes to mind when you see that: job assignment, invitation to write, employment offer, request for information, contract proposal. Get an email, send an email confirmation after a phone call, write a letter. Whatever. Get the details (payment, dates, assignment specifics) in writing. Phone calls are too nebulous and the details too easily forgotten.
2) Follow-up midway through the job or task. Make sure you both still understand what’s expected. And get it in writing.
3) Keep the writing in a file. Once you’ve finished whatever task this is (or had it finished for you), keep all the details in a folder for awhile.
4) And, if you are performing a task for someone else, invoice correctly and promptly. Follow-up so there are no misunderstandings. And if you don’t get paid in 30 days, follow-up again.
Can you tell a lot of my frustration the last few days has to do with money and assigned work? And NOT a single incident. Seven over the past 24 hours, including one involving my own income.
I hate money; I love money. No, negate that. I don’t love money; I love the things money can provide, mostly freedom. I have no desire to be screamingly rich. I would like to be debt free, live in my little cottage, and travel whenever the urge strikes. I’m not even that fond of 4-star hotels and fancy cars. In fact, I kinda like the challenge of unusual locations and peculiar people. I liked staying in a slightly cramped hotel on the Lower East Side because of the access to some great dives and intriguing people. I loved the Cadil ac Motel (yes, the L was missing on the sign, too) in central Florida because of the great story it left me with (even though we had to sleep on top of the covers and keep our shoes on). I loved camping with my friends in the North Carolina mountains because those folks were such distinct and amazing personalities that the trip created memories to last a lifetime.
Small dreams. Ongoing plans. Little frustrations.
Life. Y’know?
Excuse me….I have to go send another email.
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