So, you're already loaded down. There are a million and one things that need your immediate attention, and then someone decides that you HAVE to deal with their little crisis now. Am I the only one this bugs?? Some people get it in their heads that their time is more valuable than yours. They're like a spoiled child who can't take no for an answer. It's the most annoying thing in the world to me. As writers we often have to drill it into a person's head that creating a good story is indeed a job. It IS important and it DOES require uninterrupted attention on the part of the writer!
Why is it some people just don't get that? No matter how many times you explain, 'I need to get these edits done' or 'I'm sorry, but I'm busy. I have a deadline to meet'. Nope, doesn't matter. THEY have a day off so clearly you can be at their beck and call, right?
I can tell you that lately I've taken to just doing my own thing. I'm done worrying about hurt feelings and pissed off attitudes. My time IS important. My job IS important. My schedule IS important! Please tell me this happens to you too. I sometimes feel like I'm just being a major bitch, like I'm unreasonable in my demands. Am I alone in this??
Why is it some people just don't get that? No matter how many times you explain, 'I need to get these edits done' or 'I'm sorry, but I'm busy. I have a deadline to meet'. Nope, doesn't matter. THEY have a day off so clearly you can be at their beck and call, right?
I can tell you that lately I've taken to just doing my own thing. I'm done worrying about hurt feelings and pissed off attitudes. My time IS important. My job IS important. My schedule IS important! Please tell me this happens to you too. I sometimes feel like I'm just being a major bitch, like I'm unreasonable in my demands. Am I alone in this??
14 comments:
Oh I totally understand.
I don't work at home, but retail and if someone doesn't get their way they cry and whine like little babies. Didn't your mother always tell you that you don't always get what you want?
I have customers talk to me like I was their child, people telling me how to do my job (which I am good at) and using the comment other stores do this why don't you? It is like the old saying when we were kids, But Mommmm all the kids are doing it why can't I?
Barb
Preach it, sister! I am the worst for letting people do this to me, but I truly had a wakeup call at the end of last year. My stories and my writing are my sanity. Anyone who doesn't get that really doesn't need to be in my life!
DH does get it, though, and he shields me from a lot, screens calls when I'm writing...it's so cool to have that kind of support.
I'm so sorry people are taking advantage of you and your time. It does get very frustrating. My family get like that. They don't get because I work at home that I still work and still have deadlines I need to meet.
Yep. It's expected that my entire life has to stop on a dime when someone else has a problem and I get pretty damn sick of it. Doesn't matter how busy I am I'm required to stop and FIX IT. ARGH!!!!!! It's just little things most of the time but they are time consuming and take me out of things. Then I sit in front of my monitor saying...okay, what was I doing?
No, you're not a bitch. The world is full of selfish, demanding people and for some reason...they all think that working out of your home means you're on a permanent vacation. Ignore them. The reason it bothers you so much is because you're nice and don't want to be rude. Some people don't understand anything but blunt rudeness. They're the rude ones.
P.S. I love reading all three of you ladies' blogs.
Barb--my mom works in a telephone center for a dept. store and she gets some of the nastiest people on the phone. It's like they figure since it's not in person they can say what they want. I would have been fired years ago because I would've told some of that jerks where to stick it!
Liane--My DH would do that too, but I write during the day and he's at work. Weekends are always a bust because there's always a ton to do or family coming in and out. I NEED my own private space where I can shut a door and write!
Kelley--I think lately this has been worse than ever for me. I've never in my life been as angry as I was yesterday. I just wanted to scream! Actually, I sort of did!
Regina--exactly!! OMG, it drives me nuts. I just want to say, 'what part of I'm busy didn't you freaking get?!'
Alisha--I used to hate to be rude, I really did. Lately I just don't give a damn. My time is as important as theirs. Hell, even if I'm sitting on the couch eating a pint of ice-cream, who cares? That's MY time! Get a clue, ya know?
The thing is, I really am BUSY! And they still don't give a crap, because their needs are more important. Ugh!
You are not alone! It bugs me to no end when someone calls and asks me what I'm doing. I tell them I'm working and they proceed to talk my ear off. I guess I could just not answer the phone, but instead I do and inevitably become short with them. Yet, they never learn. Of course, neither do I. :)
Emma--OMG, you are talking my language! There are always people I love to talk to and will happily drop everything for. My friend Jen and my niece Abby are two of those people. I don't get to talk to them often enough as it is so when they call I'm all ears.
But there are some who just call daily, usually because they NEED something. Not because they want to chat with me. Those are the ones that drive me up the wall!!
Yup. Me too. I always end up having to apologize for the hermit I am.
You are not alone in this. To get anything accomplished writing-wise, we need to dwell for long periods of time in the darkness of our own minds.
:)
G.
Genella--I couldn't have explained it better! :)
Anne, one word for you, hon: headphones.
Seriously, unless you gave birth to them, they're under ten years of age and there's no other capable adult who can deal with it, their crisis is not your problem...unless they're bleeding profusely or unconscious.
Although, I must say, unconscious people are rarely that troublesome.
PG--I SO love the way you think!
See, you guys are just too nice in general. When you're a weird, standoffish person with no friends, nobody calls and bugs you on your own time except family :). Which is disruptive enough in and of itself...
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