Knowing When To Get The Job Done

As a buyer, you may tell a supplier when you want your purchase delivered or you may first ask when the supplier is able to deliver before you negotiate a delivery date. Usually your request is based on what a user of the product or service wants or needs. However, when someone, such as your boss, asks you to do something, you may forget to ask when it should be done.

It is normal to assume that when someone asks for something, he or she needs it done soon, if not immediately. However, that is not always the case. In fact, if the task is complicated or is likely to take more than a short time, the requester may believe it will take you several days, several weeks, or even longer.

You are far better off to clear up what is really desired. Furthermore, you may need to communicate what other tasks you are working on. Jobs should be prioritized to make sure that the most urgent ones are handled first. If your backlog or work will prevent you from completing the new assignment promptly, you should inform the requester up front. Don’t wait until the deadline to say you did not have time or have not completed the work.

Be careful about promising to do something when you don’t have any idea how long it will take. You may need to check your workload and investigate the requirements for the new job before you make any promise about when the job will be complete.

Generally, when your boss asks for something that should only take a few minutes, he or she will expect it to be done immediately unless you speak up. For example, you may say that you are right in the middle of something and ask if it would be acceptable if you do the job later that morning. Unless the person is unreasonable, it will usually be acceptable if the chore is not immediately essential.

Don’t look at small requests lightly. Even unimportant jobs will be important for the person who wants something done.