In a Utopian world, my life would have been very simple (how I wish!)
- I leave home
- Reach office
- Log into my System
- Open my ToDo notepad file
- Check the list of tasks for the day and add a few more depending on the requirements
- Organize the tasks based on the importance and priority
- Start working on the tasks
- Complete the tasks on time
- Go home
In reality, this is possible to an extent; but just that I’ve left out one very important parameter. Instant Messaging.
You know how some innovations in technology start out as a boon and end up being a nuisance at times? Well, this is one such innovation which people misuse, to the extent that I feel sometimes I would be better off without the IM. Most organisations use Internal Communicators for communicating easily with anyone within the organization. So in reality, this is what happens.
- I start working on the tasks.
- I get interrupted by someone asking for some important information.
- I oblige, pause my work and then respond. (Since the status shows that you are available, you have to respond immediately)
- I resume my task. When I’m on the verge of completing a task, some other person pings and asks for some extremely important information.
- I respond and then resume.
And this is how it goes. I hope you get the drift.
You might ask me why I’m creating a fuss about the entire thing. Yes, I understand that the very purpose of IM is to enable quicker communication, for getting information for which you do not have to necessarily mail/call the person. (I’m not even getting started on the friends and work-friends who keep pinging all the time just for ‘catching up’. Use whatsapp for heaven’s sake!) But have we taken for granted that other people are always at our beck and call and have we started demanding more than requesting?
I’ve received many messages from people whom I don’t even know asking me for some information which they would want urgently. I understand the importance and oblige. What irritates me is how people take it for granted that I will always be there to “help” them (that’s how they word it) and ask me things which they can easily look up and find out. If only a few people have access to that information, I can understand. But when every person in the organization has access to all those files and they ask you not because they don’t know, but because they find it easier to ask you (after a point, you can easily find out if they know or don’t), is what is annoying.
We often forget that when we are asking for help, we are asking about something that is important to us and it might not necessarily be important to the other person. Sometimes we assume that the main reason for the other person’s existence is to help us and not bother about them doing justice to their pay cheques. It would only be fair if we request them, be patient, respect their time and work and probably send a reminder if they have not responded by the time they said they would. Because, the person at the other end of the chat window is also trying to get equally important tasks done and they would be able to help us only if we stop bothering them every minute.
Ok, I think I’ve had a lot of bad experiences here and hence the rant about why IMs (and sometimes people, erm…well mostly!) can keep distracting you and shift focus from reaching the finish line. Again, when used properly, this can be a boon too. (I still think the scale tilts to the bane side). Anyway while you start debating about it in your mind, I’ll leave you with a conversation that took place recently.
AP (Annoying Person) : Hey
Me : Hey. Tell me.
AP : Do you have any idea where to get XYZ info from?
Me : Yes, it’s available on ABC.
AP : Oh wow! Can you please look it up and send me those details? Probably type it here? I need it for a PPT I’m working on. It’s very important.
Me : You’ll have access to it you can check it out. Let me know if you are not able to get them.
AP : No yaar, my hands are so numb typing all day. I’ve been typing the whole days and my hands are paining. Can you…..
Me : (Thinks)*Yea! I’m sitting here all day drinking green tea and wondering why JK Rowling Killed Fred*
So, have you had any such experiences while using the Instant Messengers?
Image Courtesy : FreeDigitalPhotos
You should learn to say a firm NO where you feel the other person can find the info himself/herself unless it is exclusively available with you.You are not there to help the tired or busy people.You can conveniently say in polite and no further discussion terms that you are busy with a deadline,you have splitting headache and that you have too much workload to get distracted.Trying to be nice unless there is genuine need is no way.
LikeLike
ha ha ha…nicely put, u nailed it !
LikeLike
Annoying truly. I find myself in the same boat often saying yes and then repenting. Seriously, people need to first find out if you are busy or not.
LikeLike
When such things happen with me, I would say a direct no, as I prefer communications being direct. But in the Indian culture, telling a blunt no is not considered polite. So I tell them to go-to-hell indirectly in the sweetest possible way. Or just not say anything. It maybe better to tell yes and not do what they wanted, that'll teach them better. But that seems impolite to me so I don't do it. Yet, i.e.
Destination Infinity
LikeLike
I too find it annoying, well blogged on the topic.
LikeLike
Just tell them NO. If they insist on your helping them, give them the wrong/incorrect information. When they point this out to you, just say “oops. I am sorry”. Do this couple of times, they will not ask you anymore.
LikeLike
hahah! I firmly believe that 85% of the people who ask for help are the ones who are too lazy or dumb to manage their tasks and they deserve a firm NO.
Nice post!!
Happy Diwali!! 🙂
LikeLike
Set-up – 'Do not disturb' or 'In a Meeting' auto-notification 🙂
LikeLike
In some ways I have been nagged too by the same problem. I've learnt to ignore many requests.
LikeLike
What can I say, “my sentiments exactly!!” As I read every line of this post, I'm nodding STRONGLY in agreement!!! People take us for granted and sometimes saying “no” is so difficult.
LikeLike
Binfer instant messaging is encrypted. You can send unlimited messages at no cost. http://www.binfer.com
LikeLike
Very true KP Sir. I'm sick and tired of being nice and delaying in getting my work done. I thought I was doing well, but I should still learn to say No properly 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
Exactly. It's not just about courtesy, more to do with common sense!
LikeLike
Haha. Please do share tips on how to tell people to go to hell in the sweetest way? It would help many of us. Trust me 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Indrani 🙂
LikeLike
Wow. This is awesome 🙂
Will try to see if I can give this a try. Haha 🙂
LikeLike
I would make that 99%,
Thanks Ankita 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Mahesh. Sometimes when people are on a mission to spoil others' days, I guess no 'DND' messages can stop them 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, we all are in that learning phase 🙂 Glad to know that there are many people who have been in the same situation as I have!
LikeLike
True. I hate it when the help that I do is taken for granted.
LikeLike
Will try. Thanks
LikeLike
Don't know where my earlier comment went. Anyway, what I was saying was telling No directly is something that even I cannot do. What I would suggest is to stop replying to their pings or tell them you are working on something urgent and do not have time to look up for things. or tell them you will need time till evening if they cannot look it up themselves. That would definitely make them understand.
LikeLike
The art of avoiding or not taking such messages while you are at work. We have to master that. and not blame the technology that we have at hand.
We have to determine our priorities
.
LikeLike
Learning to say 'NO' is also a management lesson which we forget and pay dearly for! Nice writing, Ashwini:)
LikeLike
I'm sorry. That keeps happening now and then. No idea what happened!
And, if only people were that understanding! Sigh.
LikeLike
True. It's about sorting out our priorities and not blaming the technology. I completely agree on that point!
LikeLike
Yes Sir! We do pay for it dearly. We need to stop feeling guilty for what is not important to us
Thank you Sir 🙂
LikeLike
Can't you just turn instant messaging off?
LikeLike
Oh dear !! I hate it when people take the help for granted. I would also say that it is the art of learning no is what we need to learn. And I am using the word 'we' here coz I fall in this category too !!
LikeLike
Sadly, Nope 😦
LikeLike
Almost, all of us fall under that category. But you rightly pointed it out, we should learn to say No!
LikeLike
No one messages me about work. I am available only for gossips, they are aware. -_-
I understand what you are going through nonetheless.
LikeLike
Oh, it's bad when people misuse. Luckily, I don't carry a phone and all my chats are off all the time. I live in my little world, where no one has access to disturb me. 😛
LikeLike
I have the same problem. I hate when people think that the lone reason for your existence is to help them. Now-a-days, I don't check instant messages till I have finished with my work.
LikeLike
Sometimes when there are LAN issues or server issues, I secretly enjoy not being disturbed by people 🙂
LikeLike
When it's considered mandatory to log in at work and all this happens! Imagine. And I'm jealous of you 🙂
LikeLike
I dont meant the IMs for our personal use. I was talking about the official ones at work. And so true! Sigh!
LikeLike
Yes..IMs have become a nuissance these dayzz. I agree they are useful but the way people misuse it or take it for granted is what annoys me too.
LikeLike
Exactly. It's when we are taken for granted that it gets annoying all the more! Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLike
Probably you could try changing your status to offline…so you still get to see and talk to people but nobody can ping you
LikeLike
We are expected to be Online
LikeLike