Deadlines. Event time. Call-in time. Pick-up time. Wake-up call. Due date. Ends time. Working lunch. Early Dismissal. Field trip. Black tie. Pre-breakfast meeting. After hours party. Date stamp. Kick off. Final. Get in. Pick-up the slack. Holding the elevator...
Please. Only you. Just this once. Today. Pop-in. Help. Take on. Advice. Own it. Quick draft. Volunteer. Chaperone. Host. Lead.
NO
Write. Breathe. Sleep. Smell. Eat. Smile. Walk. Play. Stare.
“You have reached the email of Bitsy Parker. I am away forever and will not be taking on any volunteer projects, contributing or raising any money or handling any tedious tasks or dealing with any irrational people for low or no pay. Thank you for your understanding.”
Sheryl Crow said it so well:
"Leave my phone machine by the radar range--hello, it's me, I'm not at home; if you want to reach me, leave me alone!!! The change will do you good. . ."
I know whereof you speak, Bitsy. The same batch of Type A stalwarts seems to handle 90% of the volunteer duties in the whole darn town.
Posted by: ausitn homeboy | April 21, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I'll heed this warning when my child reaches school age and I'm pressed into service. Thank you!
Posted by: Deb (Missives From Suburbia) | April 21, 2008 at 09:49 PM
i second that emotion. no more big projects, boards, etc. i will for once be the mom that volunteers for her child's school, and for a small task. tennis, anyone?
Posted by: pillowprincess | April 21, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Ugh! This is so, so true. And I am not even in demand like you are, Bits. For me, it's the everyday chores that multiple endlessly. Hello, world? I am not playing with you today!
Posted by: Shelly | April 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
I'm sending this to every mom I know.
In the meantime, I have a 9:30 meeting about the auction....
Posted by: Liz Ditz | April 22, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I've been playing the pregnancy card to the hilt these days with any volunteer requests. "I'd love to help, but I'm so queasy with all-day morning sickness right now, that I just don't think I can."
The sad part is that most days, I really am too queasy to do anything other than flop on the sofa.
Posted by: hokgardner | April 22, 2008 at 04:59 PM
The hardest thing to do with integrity sometimes is say no! Good job!
Posted by: Bridget | April 28, 2008 at 06:15 PM