Years ago I was talking to a friend and she said something that shook me to the core, her words were, “You can only have expectations of yourself, and your minor children. Beyond that expect nothing.” Her words made me think and though radical it has led me to believe that assessment is on point.
Of course there are some things you should expect and get. If you purchase a product or service you should expect to receive it as promised and get what you pay for. Or the service provider or merchant should expect you to never do business with them again.
Over the past five years I have had to evaluate who I will and won’t do business with, primarily based on expectations. A person who will get my business every time is the one who delivers what he or she promises and has a very small excuse-making quotient. Because, the truth is that in this day and age of high-unemployment, there is always more than one way to do a thing and people willing to do it as expected.
As to the excuse making, it really doesn’t matter the reasons for the excuses, if it is as simple as the dog eating the homework or major catastrophes, after more than a time or two, people start to not believe you. I have had to stop working with a few people over the years because it got to where I could believe nothing they say, about anything.
Also, as writers and particularly independent publishers,OR anyone with a service or product to sell, we have to be mindful about getting products to the purchasers as close to when they purchase it as possible. If you don’t have the product on hand, don’t offer it until you do. I cannot say the number of times I have purchased books and weeks will pass by before receiving it. I try to always have books on hand and if for some reason I fall short of supply I will order it from a vendor and have it shipped even if there is no profit for me, because that is the professional-business oriented way to do it.
So, if in this world of so many competing for the same jobs and opportunities we must be extremely mindful of meeting expectations and keeping excuse-making to a minimum or we may find ourselves with no one to deliver to.
Be BLESSED~
Angelia
www.angeliamenchan.com
