as a less long-term changing corollary or adjunct to this: If you’re worried about someone’s end of any joint endeavor, get in contact as soon as possible. This is true for projects, for trips, but even just for going out for a night. The amount of time it costs you and them for you to give them a phone call to figure out whether they’ll be at the restaurant at 8 is very minor, on the order of 30 seconds to a minute. The amount time you can save yourself waiting around can easily be half an hour or an hour. In general, if the answer to a question can drastically change your plans, make sure to ask that question as soon as possible.
But then I have to interact with peo- NO BRAIN!!! SHUT UP!!! INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE ISN’T BAD!! AND WE’LL HAVE TO INTERACT WITH THEM ANYWAY WHEN THEY DON’T SHOW UP AND IT WILL BE MUCH WORSE!!! WE ARE MAKING THAT PHONE CALL!!!
The conversation I have with myself every time I implement this strategy. Yes, I yell at my brain. Otherwise the insolent bastard won’t listen.
Very strongly seconding this.
as a less long-term changing corollary or adjunct to this: If you’re worried about someone’s end of any joint endeavor, get in contact as soon as possible. This is true for projects, for trips, but even just for going out for a night. The amount of time it costs you and them for you to give them a phone call to figure out whether they’ll be at the restaurant at 8 is very minor, on the order of 30 seconds to a minute. The amount time you can save yourself waiting around can easily be half an hour or an hour. In general, if the answer to a question can drastically change your plans, make sure to ask that question as soon as possible.
The conversation I have with myself every time I implement this strategy. Yes, I yell at my brain. Otherwise the insolent bastard won’t listen.
Maybe your brain’s true objection is that it doesn’t like making phone calls. It’s come up before!