I have been working on a project for over 6 hours tonight. It is almost 1:00 am. I am exhausted, nowhere near done and feeling angry. The original project was done to specification and "they" didn't like it. The guidelines were sketchy, the two partners couldn't agree on anything and we are now back to square one, trying to get done something that had a deadline two days ago.
I am learning every moment now how important it is to be clear in my communication. Through others who are teaching me what it feels like to try to interpret unrefined details and indecisiveness, I have learned more about how I want to communicate with the world.
I am praying that my energy will maintain for the next couple hours so I can complete. I am praying that, when I am done, I won't feel hateful. And I hope that I will be able to sleep. Sometime. Tomorrow. Or, I guess that would be today.
Or, I guess I could listen to my friend who used to always say, "I can sleep all I need to sleep after I'm dead."
6 comments:
What is this project?
redesigning their media graphics, branding their company and creating the signage for their home show booth. The two of them cannot agree on one thing so we go in circles until everyone is exhausted and angry. Quite icky...
Ah, you have a client that expects you to be a mind-reader. Don't you love those?
I get to a point with the type of client you describe where I do the following in exactly this order:
After we've had the ninth go-around, I send an email saying, "This is what we started with and this is where we're at. I'm concerned about your organization's inability to reach a consensus and would ask that someone please make a final decision about this project." Then I sit back and let them hash it out. If I get a run-around again, I send the entire project back and say, "Thank you for your consideration regarding my abilities and the use of my valuable skill set to meet your needs. Based on the feedback over the last week or so it has become rapidly apparent that my skills and your needs are not well matched. I am returning your project in its entirety and would highly recommend you find someone else to complete your indecisive project."
Okay, really, I don't send either of those emails. But I always really, really want to. And actually, I have sort of done that. I had a client recently who went on and on about frame colors and mattes for a photo of mine she wanted to buy as a wedding gift for her soon-to-be husband. I finally said, since I can't guarantee 100% satisfaction vis-a-vis frames and mattes, etc., "I suggest you buy the print and then take it to your local craft store and have it framed and matted to your liking."
Sorry to hijack your comments, but bosses, clients, and customers who expect mind-readers deserve to be kicked. And hard.
Hmph.
OMG! Tewksey... thank you for that! I laughed for quite some time about your comments.
You're welcome.
Now if I could just remember to actually send an email like that the next time I have a butthead for a client.
Damn, I was hoping she'd really sent the email. She's inspirational--ahhhh, my hero.
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