DWYSYWD
Early in my adult life, I was at someone’s warehouse and they had a sign above the employee exit that simply said: DWYSYWD. I had to ask what that meant. I was told it was an acronym for “Do what you say you will do.”
It’s not a difficult concept, but it must be a dying mindset. Apparently, the biggest offense is in getting people to show up. More times than not, my clients act surprised when I simply show up on time. It’s as if every other workman or contractor they have ever hired is either late (and doesn’t call) or just doesn’t show up. I guess those contractors are independently wealthy and don’t have to work for a living unlike the rest of us out here.
There was even one situation where (as I walked up to the door) the man of the house greeted me at the door and said, “Wow, you did what you said you were going to do.” Now, maybe it’s just me, but if I tell you I’m going to do something, you can just about take that to the bank.
Has the society that we live in deteriorated to such a degree that people are shocked when you actually follow through on your promise? Along with everything else that has been “outsourced” to 3rd party companies and suppliers (some of which are in other countries), have we also managed to “outsource” our integrity, our honor, our decency, and our common sense?
If you and I come to an agreement and we say we will do something and we shake hands on it, I guess I’m just naive enough to believe that it will happen that way. I don’t want to have to deal with a 40-page legal document designed to coerce me into doing what I know I am already supposed to do. Unfortunately, it appears that the world I live in has forgotten what the words “integrity” and “honor” mean.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that I have to forget what those words mean.
So I guess the point is this… Do what you say you will do. Every time. You just might make someone’s day.
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About the author: James has been working full-time in the window coverings industry since 2001. He has been a guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Charlotte, NC Chapter of the WCAA. He has been published in multiple industry magazines including Window Fashion VISION and Drapery & Design Pro Magazine. From 2014 – 2016 he taught the Installation 101 curriculum at the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in Roswell, GA.