March 31, 2010
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Longer Fuse Needed
Commitment is something that I take pretty seriously. I believe in commitment in all aspects of life, not just relationships (although that is incredibly important). If I say that I’m going to do something, I do it no matter what it takes. If I know that someone else is counting on me to stick to my commitment, I will get it done. I’m not good with making excuses. I don’t really do mere lip service to things. In that regard, I’m probably one of the most loyal people you could hope to meet. Give me a task and there is no doubt that it will get done.
I just don’t really understand people who can’t commit to something when they say they will. It’s especially bad when other people are counting on that commitment.
As with most of my rants these days, you can probably see where I’m going with this. Where else but school issues?
Again, I find myself working on one of those lovely group papers that I am always so overjoyed about working on. This particular group has been a mess from the beginning. No one meets when they say they will and on top of that, the stuff they choose to turn in is always riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes. Last time I checked, we were in grad school. We should have spelling and grammar under control by now.
One particular woman in this group has been the bane of my existence. She is late with everything and always has excuses why she can’t work under the conditions that everyone else in the group was able to work under. It’s so frustrating. Her particular excuse was that she had another paper to work on and couldn’t possibly work on ours. I have three papers due this week in three different classes and I was able to get all of those finished on time. Grrr!
I am three weeks away from this all being behind me. Three weeks. Three. Weeks. Please let me get through these three weeks without coming to the end of my fuse. That would just be bad news all around.
Comments (22)
This is a part of life…when the “real” world kicks in there will people just like that…I hate when people tell me that too…but it is true…you kind of have to watch people to make sure they make good on their promise because not everyone operates by those rules, some people are completely scattered and see no point or reason to get upset at “broken promises”…I would say 50 percent of my work as a manager and consultant is ensuring that people are going to do what you tell them to do and that the message was properly conveyed…and that they understand what is expected as well as what will happen if it doesn’t…
I hope these next three weeks fly by for you hun !
mmm… i don’t know why… but I really like the sound of 3 weeks. 3 weeks sounds like a heavenly tune, it’s ringing in my ear… i just don’t know why yet
People who don’t follow through on commitments, and people who are always late are my biggest pet peeves too. I try to be flexible, but when you’re counting on someone for something and they flake out, it’s frustrating and disappointing. And people who are consistently late make me feel like they don’t feel my time is as valuable as theirs. I think it’s a selfish trait, really. People like us just have to learn to live with people like that, though. Hang in there…you can make it three more weeks!
Hang in there. You might want to assign someone in your group to keep tabs on her progress. I’ve got a funny feeling she will need a fair bit of prodding.
heh. yeah, i was always the one who ended up writing the paper because many of the others wouldn’t come through. i’m also a fan of sticking by your word. three weeks will go by quickly. good luck.
sometimes figuring out a way to formulate an assertive message, delivering said message and sticking to your guns can lengthen your fuse.
there are people who need to have the consequences laid out in an incontrovertible way before they will stop testing your limits.
You make me think of a wonderful little movie called “Commitment”…check it out when you have a few. It’s cute. And I hate, hate, hate group projects for a grade. It’s so unfair!
I imagine what is especially frustrating for you is the question of why that woman decided to take up school if she isn’t ready to make the necessary commitment to her studies. Commitment = integrity, in my mind.
You can do it. Just remember only three weeks to go. Got to be frustrating but almost over.
I am with you on this. Like you, if I give my word, I’ll stick to it. Those people who commit but do not act on their commitments are what I call unreliable.
Being able to commit to a task and properly fulfill obligations is a sign of maturity/organization and the mark of leadership.
Unfortunately some folks are just not good at managing their time and seek to hide behind weak excuses rather than own up to their mistakes. They like to blame anything and anyone but themselves. These folks are going to have a very rude awakening in the real world if they try to pull this with their employers.
Hear hear! Just keep encouraging them to do better, do your part, and hope for the best. You can’t change them or force them to work harder, so just do the best you can.
Good luck!
@youandwhosearmy - It’s like herding cats… seriously.
@American_woman_USA - I hope so too! Thanks!
@TheNazarene - It’s sooo close!
@WakeUpLaughing - I hate that I always seem to be the one that has to pick up the pieces when people drop the ball. I’m just not comfortable with letting things go.
@ElusiveWords - I’m good with the prodding, I just really hate to do it. My feeling is that at some point, we all need to become adults and be responsible. The reality is that it doesn’t always happen.
@mercurialmusic - Thanks for the luck! Three weeks isn’t that long. I can hang in there!
@runaheadofme - Yeah, I really wish that I could set more consequences for this woman but I don’t really have any other power other than speaking to the professor about what’s going on. As annoying as the issues are, it hasn’t gotten to the point where I feel like I need to bring it up to the professor yet…
@marigold_mom - I’ve never heard of that movie! Group projects are really unfair. I feel that it is very, very difficult to ensure that everyone is pulling their own weight.
@christao408 - I agree with that statement totally!
@styx_site - I’m almost there!
@icepearlz - I just don’t deal well with those type of people.
@SoullFire - Sadly most of the people that are in this program are already out in the so called “real world.” Most work full time and go to school part time.
@ViveFLIP - Good advice
You will survive! I hate group projects, and grad professors should really know better by now than to make people do them. Ugh!
I cannot tolerate procrastinators. Absolutely cannot!
YOU, my dear, will come out with flying colors.Ignore the others and just take one day at a time. You will be so happy when these three weeks are over. I am delighted for you, that you have your degree in your hands almost.
These next couple of weeks are going to be tough for me too. We can do it!
Eergh! I agree- that would be terribly frustrating!!
I’m just going to say hang in there. You are almost done!
@BoureeMusique - I’m singing Donna Summer to myself right now
@ZSA_MD - Thank you for the encouragement!
@Roadlesstaken - Yes, we can!
@karen_lynn - It totally is. On the upside, it seems she’s working hard to get the rest of the paper done early. Very nice!
@Redshirte - I know, I know. I’m really close