Wednesday 'N Stuff

Here we are.  We made it through Hump Day.  WTH does that mean?  "Hump Day?"  I know that it's supposed to mean that we got over the hump of the week, but it's a stupid phrase.  I call it "halfway through the week."  Doesn't that work?  Maybe "Hump Day" is easier to say.  Yeah, that's probably it.

Today was crazy, but I kicked butt and took names.  I accomplished SO much today, even though the afternoon turned to crap.  More on that later.  Anyway, I kicked butt, and it was great, but tomorrow will be a challenge.  Patty (1/3 of my team) will leave for convention, and Kelly (1/3 of my team) will be filling in for another absent employee.  That means that it's just me (1/3 of my team) to do the work of 3.  Sheesh!

Anyway, I can do it.  Today, I took a ton of calls, updated software, filled out the February expense report, inspected many orders, solved technical issues, bought my husband a V day gift, fueled my car, and made it home in time for a wonderful dinner, cooked by said husband.  Yeah, I was THAT good.

OK, now about my afternoon turning to crap.  I was on FULL ON multi task mode today, trying to stay caught up.  I took a call that I was comfortable taking.  I gave the best advice that I could, and I was confident in my answer.  About 40 calls later, I checked my voicemail and had an unhappy comment from a coworker.

An unhappy comment?  No biggie.  It happens.  BUT, this time, the dude was right.  I screwed up, and it will cost the customer over an hour of labor to fix the situation.  I hate it, and I knew better.  I was just so busy that I did the best I could, and I....never mind.  No excuses.  I screwed up.

I would much rather fix the mistakes of others than to realize that I made a mistake myself.  Damn.  I feel like a heel. 

I work with many folks who stumble through, doing most things wrong, and they don't know/care at all.  I clean up after them, and I feel pretty cocky about my abilities.  I guess today was about Karma.  I shouldn't feel so mighty.  I need to be more compassionate when folks screw up.  I need to fix it without compliant.

I stand before you....wait.  I *sit* before you, humbled.  I make mistakes, and sometimes they have grave consequences.  Sometimes, they result in complaints about me.  I have tons of compliments weekly, but this one little tarnish on my medal will stick with me for a long time.

I'm sorry, dear customer.  I am sorry that I caused this mess.  I'm sorry that your job is now more difficult for this project.  I will help you from A-Z to fix it.  I promise that.  I will give you my cell phone number and help you this weekend, if needed.  I'm sorry.

Yes, I *did* tell the customer all of these things.  He was very gracious, and said he'd get through it, and that he understood my confusion, considering the way he worded his question.

Brett got his care package today, and he loved it.  He called and we all talked to him about everything!  He sounds like he's doing well.  He was doing some laundry and opening the various, random crap that we sent to them.  I sent our Entertainment Weekly that we were done with, for reading material.  He misinterpreted the intent.  Not his fault at all:  It had Heath Ledger on the front!  LOL

Sorry, son.  I just thought you'd want something to read.  The next one won't be so disturbing...honest.  You'll like it!  It'll have Ellen Page on the front, and an article about Taylor Swift.  I'm just saying.

OK, I'm out, sauerkraut.