Comments on: On Days When Lori is a Big Old Dork

By: Sal

Sal — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:55:00 +0000

Lori, looks like you have the same mentality that I do. I messed up, I fix it. That is where the 7P’s come from in the Navy. Prior Propper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Since I messed up, I should not be given any extra time to fix it. It was nice that your client offered though. I would keep them around at all costs.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:23:00 +0000

Thanks, Angie. All the credit goes to my parents for raising me well. 🙂 Please tell me it’s not THAT rare!

By: Angie Ledbetter

Angie Ledbetter — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:26:00 +0000

So nice to see a person taking responsibility for their own actions or mistakes. A rarer and rarer thing today. Great post.

By: Jennifer Williamson

Jennifer Williamson — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:45:00 +0000

You did exactly what I would have done. Any time I make a blunder, I freak out about it and drop everything to fix it right away. Same day, if it’s possible. I completely agree with you–if it’s my mistake, the client should never have to pay for that in money or time. I think it’s the only way to go.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:02:00 +0000

Mercury’s gonna kill me, Devon. :)) It’s probably a good thing we weren’t able to meet for lunch today – this is something I needed to wrap up ASAP. Means I’ll be more relaxed when we do! :))

The reason I wanted to run? I had already decided this was my last article for this pub because of the pay rate. They’re good people, but they don’t pay very well. I couldn’t get a higher rate out of them, either. That was the only reason I’d have walked away, but I couldn’t validate that since I’d already accepted the contract at that rate. Commitments, you know.

Dana, I did save the other article and I’m sending it around now. Hopefully it will find a new home. The one interview subject was great – she had a good laugh at my expense, which is better than anger and outrage any day. :))

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:35:00 +0000

Great job, Lori.

And now you have another article on a fascinating topic which you can also sell.

Remember, it's Mercury retrograde -- misunderstandings abound!

By: Avid Writer

Avid Writer — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:05:00 +0000

^^I agree, Dana. Yes, Lori, I’ve been in your shoes. I know about those fleeting thoughts of running away from the mistake. But like you I just apologize, accept the responsibility and correct it right away. I don’t waste time making excuses – it doesn’t fix the situation. That’s how I like to be treated. Just accept responsibility for the problem, fix it and we’re good.

By: Dana Prince

Dana Prince — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:03:00 +0000

I think you handled it with professionalism and integrity. I'd have done the same.

Anytime I've made an error I drop everything and fix it straight away and I think that has helped clients be a little more forgiving.

Did you save the wrong article though for another time? At least the error doesn't have to be a complete write off. Sounds like it might be a good magazine pitch for American Journal of Nursing or something like that.

Cheers,
Dana