Kev Kennedy's Blog

Favours

I’m a guy who finds it hard to say ‘No’, which may surprise you as I do frequently say ‘No’. But I still find it a hard thing to do, and I’m not sure I say it often enough.

Recently I’ve found that I have more and more on my plate. In addition to taking on more paid work (which, of course, I’m glad to say yes too), there are more unpaid ‘favours’ I’ve been asked to help out with, and some I’ve even offered in a rash moment.

Take for example proofreading. I hastily agreed to look over something for a friend who felt very stressed. I thought it would be a quick half hour job. Memo to self: always ask the word count on a project before you agree to look over it. I’m 14,000 words down and the end still isn’t in sight.

Or there’s the car thing. After my ‘quick guide to buying a car’ got published,  I’ve been on several trips to look at cars with people. Well, mainly one person. I’m not a real expert, but I know enough to realise that after seven trips to car dealers my friend prefers looking at cars to buying cars, and I don’t know how I can weasel out of another afternoon peering at mileometers and kicking tyres.

So, be careful about doing favours. You may end up resenting helping the people you’re helping. And that’s not good for your karma!
 

Created on Mon 23rd March 2009 10:50