Twinge of Guilt
I essentially told a client that I did not have time for them today. He replied he'd stop calling and bothering me and I couldn't take it back, though I tried, he still ended the call with a repeated "We won't bother you again."
I went above and beyond to help them. I looked into venues I'd never pursued before. I made calls that were NOT my job to make, because I cared. The thanks I got? They asked me to make more. I did. They called again today to ask me to make more and I said it's getting to be too much, let me write you a letter - but PLEASE give me until tomorrow morning to get it to you, I'm seriously stressed and overworked. I busted my butt to squeeze in their letter early, got it done today.
They called back this afternoon - had I written the letter (the one I asked to be given until tomorrow to take care of)? I broke. I said something I can't take back. I feel I did a good job, but it was all ruined by one stressed comment, and now I feel like shit.
These people are losing their home because someone told them an untruth, because the government takes a long time and they were told they'd have an answer by now. Their answer may even come through as a denial, and then they will have nothing... and I whined because someone turned the copier off before I could get the last item of the day done, because I stay at work until 8pm 2-3 nights a week, and because when our receptionist has to run errands for the other attorney, I have to do her job. This just became a whine - when will I stop being so selfish? At least I have a place to live.
I went above and beyond to help them. I looked into venues I'd never pursued before. I made calls that were NOT my job to make, because I cared. The thanks I got? They asked me to make more. I did. They called again today to ask me to make more and I said it's getting to be too much, let me write you a letter - but PLEASE give me until tomorrow morning to get it to you, I'm seriously stressed and overworked. I busted my butt to squeeze in their letter early, got it done today.
They called back this afternoon - had I written the letter (the one I asked to be given until tomorrow to take care of)? I broke. I said something I can't take back. I feel I did a good job, but it was all ruined by one stressed comment, and now I feel like shit.
These people are losing their home because someone told them an untruth, because the government takes a long time and they were told they'd have an answer by now. Their answer may even come through as a denial, and then they will have nothing... and I whined because someone turned the copier off before I could get the last item of the day done, because I stay at work until 8pm 2-3 nights a week, and because when our receptionist has to run errands for the other attorney, I have to do her job. This just became a whine - when will I stop being so selfish? At least I have a place to live.