Design Business Busy-Ness

So you know how we are all just the busiest people in the world.  Without fail we have a million things to do, and some of them are just not going to get done.

I have found that even though it is an integral part of my business, often times emails and voicemails don’t get returned as promptly as they should.  And this lack of response is 99 times out of 100 because of me – not because of who has contacted me. 

I know that to be true, and yet when someone doesn’t respond to me – in the timeframe I have made up in my mind – it is amazing how quickly I can start blaming myself!

I start questioning if my request was out of line.  I wonder if I should have used a different tone.  But what I really wonder is – did I do something wrong and they are unhappy with my service or are mad about something I did? 

Luckily I have a very balanced husband, so as soon as this happens to me, I tell my husband.  "Client X hasn’t responded to my email and it has been three days.  Do you think she is unhappy with our last meeting?"

And without fail, my husband responds "No. She is not upset about your last meeting.  Life happens and there is something else going on right now and she will be in touch when she can.  Be patient."

And that is generally all I need to hear.  And sure enough, when the person gets in touch, their late response almost NEVER has anything to do with me.

When you give someone a break – like the client who hasn’t called you back! – you often give yourself a break!

What things are going on in YOUR busy world that you are blaming yourself for when it is really not you at all?  I would love to hear!
Here’s to Designing Your Success™!
-Mary

Mary Larsen