I recently heard these infuriating words four times in one week: “I’m working on it.” No specifics about when I should expect results. No sense of commitment. The only polite thing I could do as a follow-up was to ask, “You’re obviously busy, so when should I ask you about this again?”
There is another way, a better way.
When you’re given a task or project that will take more than a few minutes, book the working time for it on your calendar based on priority, value, and deadlines. Don’t just add it to a list that grows and grows. Expect to adjust your schedule occasionally to allocate your time the necessary and best contributions you can make. (In football terms, it’s not quitting, but calling an audible.)
This approach gives you influence and respect because you can say things like:
“Based on previous commitments, I can work on this next Tuesday and deliver it by the following Thursday. Will that be ok?”
“Thanks for asking about that task we discussed last week. I reserved time for it tomorrow and you’ll have the report at the end of the day.”
“I’ll need to confer with my boss about back-burnering two projects she’s asked me to deliver in order to work on this project before the start of next quarter.”
Don’t say “I’m working on it” when it’s only vaguely placed on your list.
(Note: This is not an excuse to say, “I’m too busy” and avoid work. Professionals will always be asked to do more, because the saying “If you want to get something done give it to someone who is already busy” is true. The reward for doing excellent work is the opportunity to do more excellent work.)
Schedule work, making your calendar your servant. Deliver your commitments unless there are good reasons to shift priorities. Speak accurately about when work will be executed and delivered.
You’ll earn respect and put credibility “in the bank” for the future. You’ll stand memorably apart from people who mumble “I’m working on it” and don’t consistently deliver.
