Something for Nothing

About a year ago a painting contractor posted on several forums asking for a spreadsheet to track certain information. He received several responses that basically suggested he learn Excel so that he could create his own spreadsheets. The original poster didn’t take kindly to the suggestions, and said that he had little interest in learning Excel.

Over the years I’ve used a lot of different pieces of software, and Excel ranks as one of the easiest to learn. I probably could have constructed a spreadsheet to meet the above request in 10 minutes or so. The contractor would have what he wanted and all would be fine in the world. Or would it be?

The contractor would have invested no effort, no time, nothing. When he inevitably messed up the spreadsheet he’d be right back where he started—begging for someone to bail him out. And he likely would have cried like a little girl if nobody did so.

Part of the problem with this attitude is the sense of entitlement that underlies it. One believes he is entitled to something simply because he wants it. It’s up to others to provide that something, and if they don’t he will stomp his little feet and hold his breath.

Running a successful paint contracting company requires a breadth of knowledge. To demand the results—in this case a spreadsheet—while ignoring the cause—knowledge—is to demand something for nothing. And in the end, those who desire something for nothing will get exactly that—nothing.

© BEP Enterprises Incorporated 2008