2/365 Give me a date
People are often asked to give a date to complete a task or a project or anything. Many times we do not have all the information needed to say when we can complete.
People always have a fear that they will be held responsible to a date if they give one without enough information. But we live in a world where we cannot escape giving dates. We need dates to target and plan and even course correct.
But yes we can agree on what a date really means and what is it that we don’t have in order to predict something accurately. We can have honest conversations about what we know and what we don’t know. We are human beings and we are flawed. Every single one of us.
If not accurate why even put any date is a question I hear. Here is my thought…
If I tell you I will reach your place I need to give you a date and time. But we both understand that many things can happen in between that can delay my arrival at your place. But there are a few trusts we have between us.
One is that you trust that I leave my place on time as needed based on my experience and understanding of the traffic. Two is that you trust that I will let you know when I realize my planned arrival time is going to be delayed. I trust that you will understand me and believe what I say, because I have no reason to lie to you. I can be honest with you and you can in turn we honest with me.
We both understand that we are important to one another and that our relationship is built on trust for each other.
And if I did not give you an arrival time, how can you even plan your day.
Giving a date and working towards it are more about trust and understanding than just estimations.
The acknowledgement that we are both in this together is important to any working agreement.
