Is it that hard?

Jason here again. Holly is busy growing a baby, so I have something to say. A good friend of mine Andy Bowman always said, “Under promise, over deliver.” This phrase means a lot to me. Why? This week I am experiencing someone’s over promising and under delivering.

Last Thursday, I asked a Contractor friend of mine if he would send some guys over to paint and place crown molding in Jake’s nursery. With enthusiasm he shouted, “Sure!” “Whatever you want Jason. I’ll send some guys over and you just tell them what you want and they will get it done.” “Great”, I respond. “In fact”, he says, “I will just charge you how much they charge me for their time.” “Even better”, I think to myself! He leaves and I start bragging to Holly about my connections and how much clout I carry in the contracting arena. She smiles and we move on to something else.

Tuesday morning, Painter #1 was supposed to arrive. I sat at the house all day. He never showed. All day, I call my Contractor trying to get an answer. Of course, his cell phone was dead. Painter #2 does arrive Wednesday afternoon and gets a considerable amount of work done considering he is by himself, only worked the afternoon and came ill prepared. His ill preparation places considerable strain on my pocket book as he makes multiple trips to the hardware store…or wherever he goes.

Painter #2 leaves Wednesday with one coat done. Painter #2 them comes back Thursday at 7:00am and works until 1:30 (when I kick him out because I have other things to do) with the trim still needing another coat and the crown molding yet to be installed. I make more calls to the contractor. Painter #2 and Crown Molder #1 arrive Friday morning without crown molding, a nail gun, caulk or a work ethic. But they do bring some cigarettes and few scary tattoos.

Friday at 3:00 pm the crown molding is up on one wall and the trim still needs another coat. We have baby shower guests in the morning eagerly anticipating the unveiling of our nursery.

Why do people over promise and under deliver? The Contractor said this could be done in one day; we are now finishing day three. As we speak, Crown Molder #1 is walking back and forth from the garage to the nursery trying to get the cut right to complete wall number 2. If my math is right with four walls, let’s see…it should take 8 cuts. We are quickly approaching 800 today so far. Hey, we are two walls down!

I am committed to not over promise and under deliver. If you can’t do a task, don’t tell someone you can. If you can’t stand by your word, then keep your mouth shut. People only want the truth. Excuse me now, I am going to call Contractor #2.