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I had a couple of frustrating conversations a few weeks ago.
It was the week we went into lockdown actually.
I’ve only just got round to writing this blog about it 😉
The first was at the Citroen garage in Stockport.
Our car was in for a service.
I told them I needed to be out for 4pm and asked if that was OK.
They assured me it was.
As 3.30 they were done and asked if I wanted the car valeting.
“How long will that take?” I asked.
“Well, we’ve got some others just finishing their valets at the moment”
“OK – how long will it take?”
“We need to take the car round, wait for the others to finish, then do the valet”
“Sure – how long will it take?”
And so on.
It went on for a good few minutes.
It took a disproportionately long time to get an answer to my question.
I just needed a number.
Worst case scenario was fine.
And I could make my decison based on that.
The second was with an online print company.
They were printing and mailing out the April session descriptions for me.
After ordering I replied to the confirmation email asking when they would be expected to arrive.
They replied with a date that was later than I wanted as they were sent second class.
So I gave them a call to see about paying the difference to have them go first class.
“How much more would I have to pay?” I asked.
“Well, you’d have to pay the difference between the second and first class postage” came the reply.
“Sure – I get that. How much would that be?”
“Well, you’d be looking at the difference in the cost of the stamps times the number you’re mailing”
“Yep. Understood. How much would that be?”
“I’d have to see what that was and work it out”
“Of course. Please do”
And so on.
Again, I just wanted a number.
In both cases a number was key to me making my decison.
Worst case scenario was fine.
But ‘talking around’ what needed to be done didn’t help.
I just needed the answer.
It was a surprisingly hard answer to get.
And I’ve had countless other similar conversations over the years.
As I’m sure you have too.
It’s human nature.
To answer with all the challenges to getting said number.
Rather than just cracking on with getting it.
Often we couldn’t gotten the answer before we would’ve finished explaining the difficulties in calculations.
Like with tracking out food.
I’ve had many conversations with people where they’ve spent ages ‘talking around’ what they eat.
When they probably could’ve spent less time actually getting an accurate number.
A minute or so per meal punching what they’re having into MyFitnessPal.
And we’d have an accurate (enough) number to go on.
Sure, those variables all all considerations.
But there’s no benefit to spending ages talking about them.
When we can just get on with working at the answer.
How much and how many?
Calories per day on average in this case.
If you’re not reasonably confident what that number is, its worth spending a few minutes working it out.
Rather than just talking around that.
Much love,
Jon ‘Filled up my car again last week for the first time since before lockdown’ Hall
