tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post4530753928419920847..comments2022-08-03T22:32:46.890-07:00Comments on The Global Citizen Project: "no" is my new mantraUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-31558261152406596632010-12-17T20:09:28.228-08:002010-12-17T20:09:28.228-08:00Emily,
Oh, I love this one: "I need a break f...Emily,<br />Oh, I love this one: "I need a break from hard work." Uh huh. Anyone who has freelanced (in any creative field) knows that there is nothing easy about taking this career route. <br />Thanks for taking the time to comment and here's wishing you happy holidays!<br />CCharyn Pfeufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167672898474229111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-842848290330026432010-12-17T14:05:33.220-08:002010-12-17T14:05:33.220-08:00Charyn! This post was so, so needed.
I'm con...Charyn! This post was so, so needed. <br /><br />I'm constantly annoyed by phrases like "Oh I'm totally gonna quit my job and start freelance writing. I need a break from hard work. I've always loved to write." <br /><br />I also love the "It would be so great not to have a boss." <br />It sure would! But as a freelancer, I have a rotating cast of bosses, and mlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17396892601575015339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-47437268494598306142010-12-11T20:01:59.318-08:002010-12-11T20:01:59.318-08:00Ryan, Thanks for your comment. I'm sure people...Ryan, Thanks for your comment. I'm sure people in all specialized fields (where people typically pay for services, like doctors, vets, dentists, auto mechanics, etc.) are subjected to this nonsense. I can't believe you don't have some all-knowing Spidey sense to diagnose and fix computer problems? Sheesh. Just kidding. Maybe "Google it" should be my new mantra?Charyn Pfeufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167672898474229111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-35006628387593969932010-12-11T19:29:51.105-08:002010-12-11T19:29:51.105-08:00I deal with this all the time because I am a softw...I deal with this all the time because I am a software developer. People think off the top of my head without looking at their computer that I know what's wrong with it. I don't know, I probably don't care, and if I do know it's because I just googled it. I don't have special access to google, anyone can use it. My stock answer now is either, google it, or that's what you Ryan McGovernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05193934293050648461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-16960564488835276502010-12-11T18:09:09.260-08:002010-12-11T18:09:09.260-08:00Valentina - Can I give you a hug right this second...Valentina - Can I give you a hug right this second? Thank you for taking the time to post this comment. I love, love, love the examples. I know how hard you work, and like myself, did not achieve success withour working your ass off. It pisses me off when people dismiss creative skills ("Are you actually able to support yourself freelancing?" and "What else do you do to pay the Charyn Pfeufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167672898474229111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-22867731896865514492010-12-11T17:53:22.276-08:002010-12-11T17:53:22.276-08:00So this is exactly what happens to me on almost a ...So this is exactly what happens to me on almost a weekly basis. Examples (hold your GRRRSS here) of emails sent to me:<br /><br />Email #1: "Like you, I'm an aspiring photographer. That's why I need help and support, and I know you understand me when I say this."<br /><br />Me: NO, I don't. Besides, I'm NOT an aspiring photographer, I'm a professional. First of all,Valentina Vitolshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15753126313831056914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-71916513160781765772010-12-11T17:20:11.334-08:002010-12-11T17:20:11.334-08:00Great idea, Sharon! I need to do something. So far...Great idea, Sharon! I need to do something. So far, two requests today. One was a fellow peer who has been very helpful in the past, so I took a minute to properly respond. The other was from a newbie, so I declined. If people were asking about volunteer opportunities, I'd be more than happy to help, but this "Can I pick your brain for a few minutes?" business is getting old.Charyn Pfeufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167672898474229111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-34353498125034058522010-12-11T05:23:44.187-08:002010-12-11T05:23:44.187-08:00I would only add the suggestion to create a standa...I would only add the suggestion to create a standard response template that explains why you can not assist them and has links to other sites and then you can just send that auto response with one click. The formal response template also sends the message that you really seriously don't have time to respond in a more personal way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-70321303512274353912010-12-10T21:25:32.733-08:002010-12-10T21:25:32.733-08:00'Tis the season, T. I should note I do have a ...'Tis the season, T. I should note I do have a super rock star support system of food and travel writers, but we all GIVE and take. Those relationships are a two-way street and everyone benefits from helping one another. A much different dynamic than being asked for favors from strangers who just want you to give. My life is an open Rolodex for my trusted peers.Charyn Pfeufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167672898474229111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-5189687334790658242010-12-10T11:59:25.312-08:002010-12-10T11:59:25.312-08:00You go, sister. I ranted on my blog already this w...You go, sister. I ranted on my blog already this week so it must be the season!Carbzillahttp://carbzilla.britehive.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-54657137512959857422010-12-10T00:12:58.945-08:002010-12-10T00:12:58.945-08:00Thank you for your comments! Andrea, I'd love ...Thank you for your comments! Andrea, I'd love to read that article if you could point me in the right direction. I like to respond to as many emails as possible, so it goes against everything in my body to say "no" to those seeking help. I guess we all need to pick and choose how and where we decide to give help. I wish I had the time, but I don't and it never fails that everyCharyn Pfeufferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167672898474229111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-28774965788503686882010-12-10T00:01:55.627-08:002010-12-10T00:01:55.627-08:00I read a great newspaper article last week about h...I read a great newspaper article last week about how many successful people just don't respond to emails. It made a lot of sense. The author was saying that email has become standard and takes less time to compose and send. So people just shoot them off, expecting a response that may take you hours to research and respond to. There's nothing wrong with saying no if you just don't haveAndreahttp://inspiringtravellers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309384192699525224.post-3592474222897467472010-12-09T23:57:31.993-08:002010-12-09T23:57:31.993-08:00Sometimes I point them to a good networking group ...Sometimes I point them to a good networking group or blog, but No, I already have too much on my plate is often my answer. It is often followed by, you can't just take two seconds to do it? And I say, no, I really cannot.Elisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12394936332387916307noreply@blogger.com