This summer is shaping up to be an extra busy one, and while I want to keep everything running per usual, I'm wary of running around with my hands in too many pots. How can I simplify?
She started telling me how she was going to sit down this summer and bang out her novel. Just go somewhere for six weeks and write it. Hearing the strain in her voice, I said, Make sure you do some other things, too. You can't write all day.
When someone goes to you with a complaint, they want to be heard. They also want to know how things will change, but being heard comes first. So let them know you heard them. This can be as simple as thanking them for bringing the incident to your attention. You can say, "I hear you. Thanks for letting me know."