I assured him that I wasn’t. However, he’s been stewing about it since about seven this morning, my reassurance at 12:45 doesn’t help a whole lot.
So now I have guilt, which as a motivator wins the worst ever award. Guilt doesn’t inspire me to do anything. In fact, it makes me want to do whatever I have to do less.
Which leads to a book segue. Doesn’t everything with me?
There are a few people who have had the book for a while and haven’t read it. They got it as “beta readers,” which means I expected them to read it and give me feedback. If they didn’t want to shoulder that responsibility, they shouldn’t have asked to read it early. I’ll still let you read it, I’ll even give it to you for free. And if you’re one of the people who has it but hasn’t read it, here is the most important thing I have to say to you:
Stop avoiding me. Just tell me you haven’t read the book. Or don’t tell me, at this point, who cares? Guess what? I know you haven’t read it. And it’s okay. Because the last thing I want you to do is sit down and read it because you feel guilty for not reading it. I’d so much rather have you read because you want to, you might actually enjoy it then.
Do I overcommit? Yes, every day. Do I feel bad about it when I do and let someone down? You betcha. But I’ve found the easiest thing to do is to just to say so. Most times those I believe I’ve let down, either hadn't noticed, or didn’t care, or understood. Just like I did, or do, or didn’t (notice). But avoiding them would’ve made them feel terrible. Much worse than the whole letting them down thing.
If you promise to stop avoiding me, I promise I won’t ask you about the book. Deal?
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