the effects of reverse pyschology on karma

Karma is a funny thing. Some people believe that doing good for others results in good things happening for you. Others think it is all coincidence. I'm not really sure what to think, but I have noticed something strange recently. Have you ever noticed that certain things in your life don't happen the way that you want them to until you quit pushing so hard?

Take my marriage, for example. I dated lots of girls before meeting my wife, and with every one of them I was so hung up on finding the "right girl" for me and having a "serious" relationship. As a result, every one failed miserably. I met my wife on the rebound, wasn't really looking for "the one". I even tried to ignore the fact that she seemed so perfect and that there was a special feeling there that I had never felt before. I didn't want to get "serious" this time. After our third or fourth date, she told me that she felt it, too. We've been married very happily for twelve years now. So much for the "rebound".

Fast forward to today. As a self-employed web designer, I have been struggling the last two years. I was putting forth a lot of effort, and was really determined to impress new clients. Business trickled in, and I kept having to find other generic jobs in business to pay the bills. While I like the idea of having several streams of income, I'm tired of wearing so many hats. I was getting ready to give up on the web design thing altogether when I suddenly picked up a promising client. His project turned out to only be a 4 hour job, and I almost dismissed him altogether. When I did the work, I wasn't very enthusiastic about it because I didn't think it would result to much later on. I know that I should treat every client the same regardless of how much they are spending, and I usually do, but I sometimes get tired of dealing with people who want the cheapest solution that money can buy. How did I get to be that discount guy?

Strangely enough, this client has started to refer tons of work to me. While his own project was meager at best, the work he has been sending my way is four to five times as profitable. So I guess the theory of "reverse psychology" can sometimes work on more than just three-year-old.

great job, but will my paycheck clear?

Today, I ran across a new listing for a job with a startup video game company. The ad sounded promising - they are local and the name of their business sounds somewhat "hip" - ensuring that I won't be stuck with a bunch of suits in a stuffy office with no sense of humor. However, I went to call their telephone number to offer my services as a sound designer and graphics person, and found that their phone number has been disconnected.

Now, perhaps the classifieds got the number wrong, but if not, these guys can't even pay their phone bill. What makes me think that their check to me would clear a few weeks later?

This brings me to another gripe of mine - businesses that have the nerve to judge applicants based on how they present themselves when the company's classified ad looked like crap, or had dysfunctional contact numbers. What kind of incentive does that give me to apply? Maybe that's why they need new blood - to clean up their act.

apply now for details!

Lately, I have been looking to pick up a part time job to bring in some extra cash. My last official (non-self-employed) position was with a large telecommunications corporation, and this was prior to us moving to our current smaller hometown. Since I worked for that telecom firm for over six years, it's been quite a while since I have been on a "job hunt" - particularly for a basic part-time job that I'm probably way over-qualified for in the first place.

As such, I have been surprised to see the hoops that I have had to jump through just to get to the interview process. I've applied for two jobs now, and both required that I fill out an application before they could even provide details on the job. Did a new law get passed or something? What is the point of having people waste their time filling out an application, only to find out later that it wasn't the job that they thought they were applying for?

We're talking basic details like hours expected, basic job functions, skills required, etc. Maybe it has something to do with the competitive market of this small tourism town, or maybe they are just "collecting resumes". Or maybe this is just the small business owner mindset. Whatever it is, I am getting annoyed with it, and don't feel like bending over backwards just to find out what the job involves.