MetaChat - Is there a nice way to tell people not to ask for anything from me?

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25 May 2009

Is there a nice way to tell people not to ask for anything from me? For the next couple of weeks I don't want to be asked for anything from my friends and colleagues. I am just too busy. if they have something to share, or wish to help me with this stressful time, that's fine. But I don't want to keep having to say no to people. Is there a way to filter incoming calls and texts so I only get them from a whitelist of people instead?

post by: By the Grace of God at: 11:32 | 4 comments

You can probably filter your emails, but I'm not sure how you can control your texts or calls. Can you do the following:

1. voicemail - "Hi, It's me. I'm really swamped this week, so I am probably doing [blank] or [blank]. Leave a message, but it may be some time before I can back to you. Thanks!"

2. email - auto-reply "Hi! Thanks for writing! I am really busy doing [this] and [that] this week. Please note that I may not get to your email until next week. Thanks!"

I have done this. People seemed cool with it. ie. I am kinda too busy to help you with anything, but if you have something positive to offer, I will see/hear it.

posted by typewriter 25 May | 11:48

Yell "go away you miserable fuck" as many times as necessary. Works for me.

posted by dhartung 25 May | 14:09

I've done the out of office message just saying "I'll be very busy working on a special project until day X, please contact John Doe if you need a response before then."

posted by kellydamnit 25 May | 14:23

what typewriter said. if you do a blanket email/voicemail, at least they'll know it's nothing personal.

posted by desjardins 25 May | 15:47

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