This rule was a hard one for me to learn. I remember when I first met my boyfriend. I found it extremely strange that he could let his telephone ring and not answer. He would often times, unplug it from the wall. I just have to answer the phone, even if I have caller identification. You must learn this rule or forever be plagued by time eaters.

Yes, your family and friends will get upset with you when you don't answer their e-mail or return their phone calls. But let's give you an example of how it works if you don't use the "Paying Clients Come First" rule.

You are working at home and have this very important project due first thing in the morning. While you work, you have the phone sitting on your desk, as you don't dare miss a client call. The phone rings, you grab it. It's a sales person, and he wants to know what long distance service you use. As a woman, you continue to answer his questions hoping to get off the phone. As the time ticks away, you notice you've now been on the phone for twenty minutes and still are not interested in what he is selling.

Finally off the phone, you gather your thoughts again and go back to work. The phone rings again. You pick it up and it's your daughter calling to tell you to stop by the store and pick up some milk. She goes on to enlighten you about her school day, and other things you find extremely trivial at this time. Because she is your daughter, you tell her that you have to get off the phone and to quit calling you. That call was 10 minutes and when you hang up, the guilt sets in. Gee, you spent twenty minutes with a perfect stranger and couldn't give your own kid 10 minutes of your time. But you justify it with the fact that stupid stranger took up your time.

Okay, you go back to work and now you must work through the lunch hour to complete the project. Just then, your friend from your previous job happens by on her lunch hour. You politely tell her that you must work and she says, "Oh you're self employed, you can do it later, come on, let's go have lunch." Do you dare? No, you think, cannot possibly do this! She leaves somewhat upset. The guilt sets in and once again, you blame that stupid stranger who took up 20 minutes of your time. Guess what that stupid stranger did no such thing! You are the one who spent twenty minutes talking to him.

Now, let's recap the above events:

You wasted 20 minutes talking with a perfect stranger. You cut off your daughter in a conversation (because she's family and should understand). Your best friend is mad at you because you won't take the time to go to lunch.

Guess what, a tiny bit of technology could solve all these problems. It is known as an answer machine or voice mail. One more little device is needed if you are like me and just have to answer that ringing phone. A little box they sell at any computer store, known as ring controller. This beautiful item has saved me countless hours of useless conversation with family, friends and sales people. It fits between the phone and the wall and has a little button like a light switch where you can TURN OFF THE RINGER!

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Gina Novelle (12-2004)