Job Blocked?

Projects come and go in random and fortuitous ways. At my most destitute all kinds of opportunities present themselves. And they are all worth pursuing.

By my estimation, forty percent lead nowhere, sixty percent lead to work, and of that, twenty percent lead to paying work.

Of twenty percent, ten percent result in completed jobs either over budget or overtime or both (not going into how or why jobs go over budget or time, at this time). Two percent make up jobs completed within budget and on time. Two percent are on time on budget and you celebrate over drinks. One percent are started and put on hold.

Work that starts and progresses to it’s conclusion without interruption where the goals of the project are achieved and a good relationship built, is the preferred scenario.

Sometimes the work is done, but the experience wasn’t great. Maybe things went off the rails, but at least there’s the consolation that the project is complete.

Occasionally things go off without a hitch. Issues are creatively and capably solved because the moon, circumstances and team are in alignment.

Once in a while, a job is progressing as planned and the next steps are laid out, and for whatever reason (illness, lack of funding, politics, etc.), there is an inability to move forward.

It can be a blessing or a disappointment, but it’s something to take in stride. It’s not usually within the control of the person you’re dealing with.

So, thank your client for their business, keep the lines of communication open and make sure they know you’re invested in them and you’ll be there when they are ready.

Eighty percent of the time when they’re ready to move you’ll be included.