Familiarity Breeds Contempt
THE HIDDEN COST OF ALWAYS BEING AVAILABLE
Hello #scifimultiverse, Happy Valentine’s Day in advance. I welcome you to my blog.
Permit me to explain my thoughts with the principle or law of supply and demand. With my understanding of Economics, we were taught that the higher the demand, the higher the price (all things being equal). The lower the demand, the lower the price. Likewise, in supply, the higher the supply, the lower the price, and the lower the price, the higher the demand. The lower the supply, the higher the demand and price.
The above narration indicates that price is the major determinant of demand and supply. Meaning that everything we do in this life must be moderate. But today the world is becoming a fast-paced environment, and as a result, everybody wants immediate feedback, action, and reaction. You become so available that you lose your value and mental stability. You withdraw too much or become very scarce, and you may be forgotten. Moderation is the tactic. It is the key to maintaining status and relevance.
There is a popular saying that too much familiarity breeds contempt. I cherish that statement and hold it dear. Knowing when to be available and when to withdraw from public eyes is wisdom. It can also save us a lot of embarrassment and stress. Being available always may not even lead to productivity; some may just be busy doing nothing.
When I joined my current place of work, I always stayed in my office and came out when there is need to socialise. I execute my duties to the best of my ability, attend meetings, employee engagements, and some chit chats when necessary. Some of my colleagues began to question me about that, and I explained to them the hidden cost of always being available. It may result in undeserved errands, assignments, mental drain, and unnecessary embarrassment.
Austin
One day, we came to work and decided to stay outside the premises to chit-chat as usual. I joined them, and after a few minutes, I took my leave for my office while they continued. The next thing was the sound of sirens and gunshots everywhere. While they scrambled for safety, some of them got serious wounds, and the police caught up with two of them.
When this issue was reported at the meeting, their bailing funds reimbursements were rejected by the organisation because it was adjudged that they were not on duty, and worst still, they were without their ID cards. From that day, their orientation towards staying outside almost every time they come to work to chat for a few minutes changed.
In conclusion, yes, one can be available to render support and a helping hand. But there should be moderation to avoid hidden costs like regrets, over-familiarity, embarrassment, and mental drain.
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