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Why I said not to say “booked”

sparkyfirepants | February 2nd, 2010

So I writ this post yesterday, Why I’ll never say I’m booked.

One of the things I love about having this blog is that smart people come and talk to me. Check out the comments there.

I’ve also had some interesting comments in email and on Twitter about this post and the idea of saying you’re booked. There’s been some confusion about my message. This is, of course, my fault since I’m the one who wrote the damn thing and wasn’t clear enough.

Apparently it sounded a lot like I was saying that even when you’re busy, you should take on more work. It may have sounded like I was saying that even though I’m really busy, I can handle it and you can’t – you lame excuses for productivity, you.

Negatory, Good People. Nope-ity nope-ity no.

I get why you post “Booked” on your site. You’re full up. You’re swimming in work – which is completely awesome and I applaud your ability to create that situation for yourself (you’re doing something right).

I also get that the idea of taking on more projects and inserting a Monster Energy drink IV is not something you’re keen on doing. Me, neither. Taking on more work when you’re full to the brim is just insanity. It’s a dollar-chasing, panic-driven, I’ll-never-be-this-busy-again, plain ol’ life-damaging strategy.

Don’t. take. the. work.

Don’t take it. Turn down the work when you’re full. Push the plate away. Focus on the people who got in line first and deserve (paying for) your full attention.

The Acknowledgement Business

I don’t have a magic email or phone call strategy. I have some systems in place that work for me and I’m always improving them. Stuff falls through the cracks. I can’t get to everyone in 24 hours like I try to. I miss stuff, I screw it up.

But not everything begs a fully-developed answer in 24 hours. Sometimes people just want to inquire in a general way. The Facebook updates can wait.

Simple priorities.

But I’ve spent a lot of energy creating a space where people can contact me when they need my kind of help. My phone number is there. My email address, twitter handle… everything short of my Driver’s License number is on the site.

I want people reaching out. I want to hear about their projects. I want to know!

Can I create graphics for them all? No. Never. Simply not possible. It’s not always the right fit, or I’m slammed with other projects at the moment.

The point is, my figurative door is never locked. Not in a way that allows people to poke their head in when I’m illustrating and interrupt my flow. Unlocked in a way that allows me to acknowledge that they need help and I’m going to figure out how that can happen. Maybe they’ll be helped best by one of my designer friends who I trust to help them as well as or (gulp!) even better than I can.

I get it. Even that level of acknowledgment is difficult when you’re buried. So what do you do? You may need help weeding out the “Can you help me with my project?” requests from the “I love your work and just wanted to say hi” emails.

Not easy. Nope.

But I’m not in the business of graphics and animation. I’m in the business of communication and acknowledgment. Silly drawings and movies are only the vehicles. It could be anything – knitted caps, coaching, iPhone sleeves, tofu burgers, whatever.

You can’t always make more tofu burgers. I can’t always make more graphics. Sometimes we just can’t take on any more.

But we can acknowledge. To me, a person looking for some help, a sign that says “Booked solid” expresses, “I don’t have time for you. Go away.”

That may not be your intention. What you’re feeling is, “Oh my god. I am so slammed. I just can’t handle any more work and create my grand, epic, planet-changing stuff.”

Of course! You can’t.

Your ability to recognize when you’re at your limit is probably hard-won. Awesome. Trust it.

My suggestion is to simply change your message from one of “Booked. Can’t help now. Sorry.” to something that says, “Tell me about your thing and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.”

People want to talk about their projects, even if you’re too busy to do anything with it. They want you to hear them. That’s acknowledgment. That’s powerful. It means more than you might suspect.

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Posted in: sparkyfirepants Comments
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  • sexynomad
    Aha! okay, I understand better now. :-)
  • michelleburgess
    Yes, this is what we want: “Tell me about your thing and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.” Don't leave us hanging, wondering if you're interested in our project ot not!
  • dhelwig
    No matter what business anyone is in, they're in the people business.

    Well, I guess Jane Goodall was in the apes business, but if you're working anywhere but on a remote African wildlife preserve, there's a dang fine chance you're either doing stuff FOR people or WITH people. And that means the people part of your work (acknowledgement, conversation, dialogue, RESPECT) has to be integral....or it all falls apart eventually.

    Great thoughts, well expressed, as usual. Thanks!
  • Jeff Woodbury
    Excellent post, as was the previous. Acknowledgment is critical. The simple technique of "repeating the message" works for clients, as it does for two-year-olds, angry spouses and disgruntled customers. Let them state their case and repeat it back to them so they understand they're being heard. Then offer your available options for resolution. "I understand you want an urgent logo/new toy/time off from kids/better coffee machine. Here's what we can do."

    Rock on.
  • I agree with you completely! There's an art to saying "No!" And it can even be done in a way that engenders good will. It's like a no shirt, no shoes, no service sign. When you see it, it makes you think that the establishment is frequented by uncultured buffoons. Similarly, if your website communicates that you're so full you can't even talk, at best you turn down the opportunity to expand your network and your mind and maybe give out a good referral. At worst you give people the impression that you are self important.
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