Recently, an online group decided that they would like to try their hand at commercial work. We’re talking a mix of professional people and skilled amateurs who are pretty dedicated to their avocation. All members are very talented people.
Of the pros, most are actively working, but, with the economy the way it is, it never hurts to have something cooking on the back burner. Among the skilled amateurs are some people who are looking for work along with those who have jobs or who are retired.
So what happens? When it comes to a test “job” with a generous deadline, what we get are the professionals hopping right in and doing right away while the amateurs most in need of work wind up no-shows or making excuses.
Needless to say, the project is already failed before it’s even started. Odd thing is that, from the onset, a couple of us knew it was going to wind up just the way it did. It showed in the manner in which work was done in the group all along–a couple of initiators, the rest kinda sorta going along when it suited their tastes and their private schedules.
The lesson? There are doers, and then there’s everybody else.
The group? It’s still a functioning group, and I’m sure it will remain so, but it certainly demonstrated quite realistically and inarguably that, when it comes to succeeding in a commercial project, everybody has to hold a professional discipline or it just will never get off the ground.
Yes. There are doers, and then there’s everybody else. Well said.
Should the doers carry the dead weight? Certainly not.
There are doers that get off on “motivating” other people (read deadbeats). I am not one of them.
I don’t have the patience for those who would do the same thing – over and over again – and expect to get a different result.
I’d rather fly solo, or fly with a couple of good wingwomen who share the philosophy, commitment, and motivation that comes with hard work.
Liz