The stuff that keeps me up at night June 26, 2007
The Latest , trackbackWhen I came across the points made below, as a few of us have in our recent studies, I find myself (there I am) faced with either a misunderstanding or a moral dilemma - possibly both.
Someone has compiled the following 10 excuses that are not recommended for ambitious men & women:
a) That’s the way we’ve always done it.
b) I didn’t know you were in a hurry for it.
c) That’s not in my department.
d) No one told me to go ahead.
e) I’m waiting for an okay.
f) How did I know this was different?
g) That’s his job, not mine.
h) Wait till the boss comes back & ask him.
i) I forgot.
j) I didn’t think it was that important.
If this is truly the case, I find myself (there I am again) without any reason to ever leave anything (even the other guy’s job, apparently) left undone. Is it just me or are those some seriously relevant excuses up there? Heck, I use some of those all the time, doesn’t everyone?
So then to put these poignant points into practice, I’m faced with the following options:
1.) Do everything, always.
2.) Dive for the loophole - only ever use the two excuses not listed here: “I’m too busy” (dishonest) or “I didn’t feel like doing it” (honest).
3.) Conclude that I’m just not ambitious and be at peace - I like this one best.
Until I can cement my stance on this I’m considering discarding all the listed excuses and apologizing right and left and right and left since I’m still not doing everything but now have no excuse. Perhaps someone who has traversed life’s winding road further then I have can illuminate this little piece of my teenage world?
P.S. I promise I’m not getting prolific on y’all. The last two posts below were made by infiltrators of the Steph and Chuck variety.
Comments»
Whoa! I have to agree with you Juls, I use quite a few of those, and I don’t think “slacker” is a term used on me. (Though I’m not dying to be ambitious either - the term “faithful” is fine with me.)
a) That’s the way we’ve always done it. - Well, if there’s a policy/way of doing it, and I ain’t the boss, heck, I’m not going to take responsibility for changing it. - ‘Tis life sometimes.
c) That’s not in my department. - This one NEVER works for me. I get stuff from other regions, let alone other departments, so forget about using this one. - Just grin and bear it.
e) I’m waiting for an okay. - Hey, this one is VERY valid. - And saves my butt many a times.
h) Wait till the boss comes back & ask him. - Well, I say “wait till the boss comes back, and then I’LL ask him.” (Never let them get to the boss.
)
i) I forgot. - And? Who doesn’t?! I literally dream of work - sometimes I don’t even know if I actually did the work or not, and though I’ve gotten good at asking folks if per chance I actually dreamt of getting back to them, or are they still waiting to hear from me (little do they know how serious I am in asking), it happens.
All that to say, I don’t agree. It all depends on what context they’re used in.
Hahahaha! I’m taking notes, Cel.
Seriously, I’m totally with you on this one, and I’m so glad I’m not the only one who dreams of work!
I think what they want you to say is “…but I’ll get on it right away!” and not just end with the excuse.
I think I’d definitely have to go with the “I’m just not ambitious” option. I mean who doesn’t use excuses?
And, by the way, I forgot is a totally legitimate excuse when you actually did forget, which happens to me all the time. Course, it doesn’t make you feel any better. I’m starting to think I have a serious memory problem. I tried using a notebook, but then I forget where I last put my notebook. The only thing that actually works is to write the important things on my hand, can’t loose that and have to look at it at least a few times a day.
Hah! You too? That’s the only way to really remember something, at least for me. At this moment I have written on my hand
Tools
Mike
Key
Nyna
Receipts
Thanks for the insight, all! I’ve decided to go with my gut and yours and Shakespeare’s advice “I charge thee, fling away ambition, by that sin fell the angels”.