Ask For The Time You Need To Get The Job Done
Let’s face it people want shortcuts. But they also want to get the job done. This can be in conflict. Either because they are …
Let’s face it people want shortcuts. But they also want to get the job done. This can be in conflict.
Either because they are really limited on time and want to see results immediately, or have a limited budget to work with.
Their ideal situation is to cram the highest quality effort and maximize results for the least amount of time and money.
But, that of course, goes against the commonly known Triple Constraint or Iron Triangle, where you can only pick two out of the three good, cheap, fast.
Moreover, for those of us who know our craft, have a process for it, take pride in delivering quality work, and wants to exceed client expectations, we feel like we are compromising on the quality when are rushed by others and compelled to take shortcuts.
I’ve had this happen to me a lot. I know what I’m good at, how long it’s going to take me to deliver results, and have created a process that is repeatable. It just so happens that it takes a fixed amount of time that I’m unwilling to compromise on.
I liken it to painstakingly creating a whole meal, then inviting guests to enjoy the full meal. But when they show up they tell me they only have time to eat an appetizer, and then they’ve gotta run!
No matter how small of a stomach you have, you can’t get full off of an appetizer.
I don’t make or offer appetizers.
Here is how I handle those who want shortcuts
I start off by asking them about what their goals are, how they’ve struggled to accomplish them on their own, and why they would want my help.
Then I tell them what I have to offer, and walk them through the process. I’m clear about what I won’t do and why. I want them to understand the consequences of taking shortcuts.
I make it a point to stick to the amount of time I need, because I know if I don’t they will be unhappy in the end.
I also let them know when they can expect me to be available to them. I’ve written about this in my previous post on handling the urgency of others’.
If they still disagree and want to take shortcuts, I’m happy to refer them to others who will indulge them.
I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. One of my favorite quotes from Jessica Hische who is a letterer, illustrator, and type designer is the following:
“I am really happy opening clients up to the process of doing what I do and educating them about why decisions are made. It helps them, but it also helps me be very decisive and back it up. I don’t make decisions because I feel like it. I make decisions because there is a reason.”
Jessica goes on to talk about her process for handling clients in a recent episode of FemgineerTV called: How to Prepare to Strike Out On Your Own and Pursue Your Creative Calling. You can watch the full episode here.
Finally, I’m not saying we have to follow a process for everything. I’ll admit to being anti-perfectionism, all for experimenting, working efficiently, iterating, and shipping. However, I operate that way in cases where people aren’t expecting a certain level of results. There has to be an agreement that we are just learning and experimenting.
If the expectation is around having a predictable outcome with positive results, then quick and dirty won’t yield them.
Now I want to know, are you asking for the time you need or letting others compel you into compromising? How are you getting the job done?
