Why can’t you have it now? Because about two dozen people came by my office before you did. And they all wanted their stuff “now” too. What? You’re questioning my assessment that you really don’t need my contribution immediately? Well, let me bring you up to speed on why I’ve come to that conclusion…
You’re asking for something that will be presented to a client on Thursday. Not right now, not in five minutes. Three days from now. So I’m giving myself something of a time cushion, based on my assessment of your need.
What? I’m not in any position to make that judgment? Well, why don’t you ask the two dozen people who came in before you whether they truly need their stuff “right now.” I have to make this assessment of everyone, because if I didn’t, I would need to graft a Pentium 4 and a gig of RAM directly onto my brain so that I could multitask on 32 different projects at once.
Can’t people wait for anything anymore? Has our society truly become “Instant Gratification Land?” The place where you don’t need to wait for anything and expect the same quality in a work product, regardless of the time spent on it?
“Instant gratification takes too long.” - “Postcards From The Edge”
Yeah, been there, but hey, stand your ground, or, if they insist, tell them just what you said - here’s a list of all the other people who gave me their work before you, so go talk to them and you all can decide what’s more important if you don’t think I can handle it. Even better - “Talk to my boss.”
i know i always need my stuff NOW! of course, i know this because i am fully confident that i am the most important thing around, and i should not have to wait on anyone or anything…
One of my favorite signs at my desk: “OHSA regulations have determined that the maximum load capacity of my ass is TWO PERSONS unless I install hand rails and safety straps. As you have arrived SIXTH in line to ride my ass today, take a number and wait your turn.”
Having been in tech support for eight or nine years, I feel for you. I’d offer to buy you a beer after work, but you live too far away.
Sheesh. Reminds me of when I was still on Active Duty.
[ul][li]Officer #1 gives me assignment and deadline.[/li][li]Officer #2 (junior to #1) gives me assignment and same deadline.[/li][li]I inform #2 that #1 gave me assignment which is due at that time and I really am working on getting it done.[/li][li]#2 informs me that I will disregard that and “follow your last orders.”[/li][li]I inform #2 that I’d be happy to, but since by following those last orders, there’s no way in hell I’ll get the assignment for #1 done, would #2 be so kind as to write down the order that I am to disregard what HIS boss told me to do so I don’t get strung up when #2 decides to waffle and not admit he ordered me to blow off the first assignment?[/ul][/li]
One junior officer actually wrote out the order! God, that was a fun day. At sea, too. Poor sod couldn’t even go get drunk after his ass chewing by the Captain!
Oh, yeah. And the Captain told me what I did was “the perfect way to handle assholes with commissions.” Direct quote, that.