The Plot Hole
I've talked about this before but still haven't come up with a good answer. Is there any good way to tell someone you don't want to do something for them just because you don't want to do that thing? Here's my situation:
My boss at work was contacted by a man who wanted some sheet music for his wedding next June. The song is a piano version of an Alice in Chains song, so obviously, it's not published. The man then asked her if she knew anyone who could transcribe the song. She suggested me. She forwarded his e-mail to me and told me to talk to him directly. I have to yet to write him back. It has been about 6 days since he first contacted her and now he is trying to get ahold of me at work. He's left messages twice now for me to call him back. I don't want to call him back. I still have his e-mail and have been trying to craft a message to him saying that I'm too busy or something....but....I'm not too busy. I just don't want to do it!
What do I do? It doesn't seem fair to him, does it? He needs this music. I'm probably literally the only person in the entire area who could write it out for him, but I have no desire to do this for him. I feel slightly guilty. I mean, this isn't how the "real world" is supposed to work. Lets say I had a different profession. Lets say I was a plumber and somebody heard from someone else that I was a really good plumber and I could fix a certain problem. Naturally, that person would call me up and expect to talk to me like a civilized person about doing this particular job. Easy peasy. I'd explain my rates and we'd set up an appointment. Boom. Done. That's what that person *expects* to happen. Call up for service. Get service. Well, I'm not doing that.
Instead, I try to think of as many excuses I can to not have to do the job. As soon as I think of a good one, I feel bad because I don't want to lie to the person. Lying is wrong, right? But, I can't tell the truth...
Dear Sir,
It has to come to my attention that you have heard that I can help you out with your problem. While it is true I could help you out with your problem (and it probably would be very easy for me if I put any effort into it), I would prefer to not put any effort into it and leave you feeling screwed even though this thing holds a very high importance to you.
Sincerely,
Dick Head
That would not go over very well. I have a reputation to think about! But...why? In case someone wants to offer me a job of merit? Why, in the past year, I've even ignored job offers that would be worth my time.
Does this issue go further? Do I just have no desire to work? Does it go deeper than that? Do I fail to grasp the reason to advance myself any further in life by trying to "make a name for myself?" Like...why should I work harder when I'm moderately comfortable with my comfortness as of now? But *shouldn't* I not be comfortable? Shouldn't I be striving for great heights? And it'd be so EASY, too! I know what I need to go do be successful. It's all there. It just takes a little effort every day and within 2 years, I guarantee I could be very successful. But I don't care. This is unfortunate because I sense future regret.
So, I should do something. But I don't want to. But I should. But.
My boss at work was contacted by a man who wanted some sheet music for his wedding next June. The song is a piano version of an Alice in Chains song, so obviously, it's not published. The man then asked her if she knew anyone who could transcribe the song. She suggested me. She forwarded his e-mail to me and told me to talk to him directly. I have to yet to write him back. It has been about 6 days since he first contacted her and now he is trying to get ahold of me at work. He's left messages twice now for me to call him back. I don't want to call him back. I still have his e-mail and have been trying to craft a message to him saying that I'm too busy or something....but....I'm not too busy. I just don't want to do it!
What do I do? It doesn't seem fair to him, does it? He needs this music. I'm probably literally the only person in the entire area who could write it out for him, but I have no desire to do this for him. I feel slightly guilty. I mean, this isn't how the "real world" is supposed to work. Lets say I had a different profession. Lets say I was a plumber and somebody heard from someone else that I was a really good plumber and I could fix a certain problem. Naturally, that person would call me up and expect to talk to me like a civilized person about doing this particular job. Easy peasy. I'd explain my rates and we'd set up an appointment. Boom. Done. That's what that person *expects* to happen. Call up for service. Get service. Well, I'm not doing that.
Instead, I try to think of as many excuses I can to not have to do the job. As soon as I think of a good one, I feel bad because I don't want to lie to the person. Lying is wrong, right? But, I can't tell the truth...
Dear Sir,
It has to come to my attention that you have heard that I can help you out with your problem. While it is true I could help you out with your problem (and it probably would be very easy for me if I put any effort into it), I would prefer to not put any effort into it and leave you feeling screwed even though this thing holds a very high importance to you.
Sincerely,
Dick Head
That would not go over very well. I have a reputation to think about! But...why? In case someone wants to offer me a job of merit? Why, in the past year, I've even ignored job offers that would be worth my time.
Does this issue go further? Do I just have no desire to work? Does it go deeper than that? Do I fail to grasp the reason to advance myself any further in life by trying to "make a name for myself?" Like...why should I work harder when I'm moderately comfortable with my comfortness as of now? But *shouldn't* I not be comfortable? Shouldn't I be striving for great heights? And it'd be so EASY, too! I know what I need to go do be successful. It's all there. It just takes a little effort every day and within 2 years, I guarantee I could be very successful. But I don't care. This is unfortunate because I sense future regret.
So, I should do something. But I don't want to. But I should. But.