Example 1
A few weeks ago someone called me saying they had a business proposal and wanted my to design a mockup for their client. They said it was very timely request that had to be done ASAP. They wanted to meet that night, but I already have plans (in my weekly schedule) to hang out at home with my wife.
I asked if I could call them back in a few minutes. I hung up, took a breath and thought for a second to clear my head. I decided to keep my schedule. This was someone else’s emergency not mine. I called back and asked if we could meet the next day instead at a time that was open for me. They said yes.
It turned out the project wasn’t quite as ‘urgent’ as they had made it sound, and in fact it ended up falling through. I’m glad I didn’t give in.
Esample 2
A few days ago in the morning I got an email from a client of mine. They were having some stationary printed and needed their logo sent to the printers. I was just about to walk out the door for a very busy day, but the email said to please send the logo that morning. Talk about last minute communication.
I decided that instead of trying to get the files together and emailed right then (which would cause me to be late to a meeting), and instead of taking time out of my normal routine of being in the prayer room for the rest of the morning, that I would just call the printer at 11:00 as soon as I had a chance to tell them that I would not be able to send the logo files until later in the afternoon.
They were fine with that.
Just remember, you don’t always have to rearrange your whole schedule when someone else’s emergency comes your way. But that’s not an excuse to not serve others.
6 comments
retroman said:
Thank you very much, Steven Covey! Nothing like practical examples of assertiveness gone right in the self-employment arena! Appreciated this. CBB
Posted on June 8, 2007 at 12:33 pm
wonderbox said:
as a designer, i found this post to be very helpful. i have been in those same situations and have found myself jumping through people’s hoops only to find out exactly what you said – they sounded more urgent than the reality.
Posted on June 8, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Christy said:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I think I just needed someone to tell me that this is true.
Posted on June 8, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Yuri said:
This is great Shawn. Thanks for sharing and making that phrase (or the avoidance of the reality it describes) tangible.
Posted on June 8, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Michelle Van Loon said:
“This was someone else’s emergency not mine.”
What a great statement! I have had a lifetime habit of letting everyone else’s emergencies become mine. I have lived my life like some sort of adrenaline-fueled ambulance, rushing to the scene of someone else’s disaster with blankets and black coffee.
I’ve been slowly realizing my own need to be needed (a form of narcissistic selfishness) is not the same as serving God and loving others, even though my need to be needed has masqueraded convincingly as service. Fooled even me.
Some Spirit-breathed discernment, growing spiritual health and maturity, along with learning the new vocabulary word “no” has helped me stop treating everyone else’s emergencies as God’s agenda for my life.
I want to say yes to God, and never ever shut my heart toward a true need. But not every need needs me…
Thanks for the reinforcement, Shawn.
Posted on June 8, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Simon said:
Loved the examples Shawn. Stay in peace brother!
Posted on June 8, 2007 at 10:37 pm