June 09, 2007
Painted Into A Corner
Well shit. I did it again.
I've painted myself into a damned corner.
See - I have this problem. It's called a Strong Work Ethic. I guess I really shouldn't refer to it as a problem, per say, more of a double edged sword.
Let me try and explain. I am a Manufacturers Rep. (more or less) I deal with retailers. Retailers tend to be open 7 days a week. They usually get to their stores around 8:00 in the mornings and can be there as late as 10:00 at night.
They sell my product. Sometimes they have questions or problems that need immediate attention.
They then either call or email.
Here comes the problem. If they email, I have this knee-jerk reaction and have to respond. Even if it's only to acknowledge that I got the email and am working on the answer. If they call....I'll see their number on my caller ID and before I know what's happening I answer.
Let's just add in the fact that I've been calling from my land line, so now - thanks to that same caller ID - they have my home phone number.
Yeah, so much for keeping a professional distance.
So this morning at 8:00 I'm getting emails from one of my larger accounts. Then.....the phone starts ringing.
It's Saturday. I'm trying to run errands and move.
Tomorrow is Sunday. I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts I get a couple calls tomorrow too.
There is no possible way to make up missed days off. Like I said - there is at least 1/2 of my accounts (bare minimum) open every single day of the week.
My plan was to take MOST of the day Saturday off. Sundays? All day. I will never almost miss a Super Bowl again because I was working. There is no reason for it.
My plan has been shot to hell. The word is now out. Tammi is accessible. Accessible, but not easy - let's get that straight right now.
But I can see the future as clear as a bell. While I will NOT make store visits after 10:00 on Saturday mornings, it is a 99% promise that I'll be receiving phone calls.
I really thought I could break the pattern. I honestly believed I could.
Yeah, thanks to this damned Work Ethic of mine, I'm painted right into that damned corner. And the color of choice seems to be shit brown.......
Posted by Tammi at June 9, 2007 11:09 AM | TrackBack Actually, Tammi, it's a pretty simple problem to solve.Go ahead and live with the problem for now, once you have finished the move go ahead and warn all your accounts that you have moved and CHANGE PPHONE NUMBERS. Have a work phone and a home phone, put the work phone on an answering machine.
You'll need that anyway as you'll be traveling, right?
On your machine be clear that you have off hours.
Then all you have to do is be careful about which phone you are using.
Oh, and that cell phone? They have "off" switches.
I have a friend who trouble-shoots computers for a living.
He tried to take time off for a weekend with just us friends.
Kept his cell on, though, and in his pants pocket.
Very entertaining seeing him have a spasm and grab his pants whenever his phone rang. :)
Posted by: Roses at June 9, 2007 10:02 PM