Would you do a favor for a friend or for someone in your family?

Depending on the favor and the friend or family member, most of us would. Sometimes, though, the favor isn’t worth the aggravation it causes.

Last year, a friend asked me to look at the plans for her new house and to give her ideas for improving them. As a favor to her, I spent two hours reviewing her plans and gave her several suggestions. After her architect made the changes, she asked me to look at the plans again. I spent another hour looking at them (still part of the favor) and made a few more changes.

When she called two months later to ask me to help her pick out lighting, with an offer to buy me lunch, I said no. She had crossed the line from asking a favor to taking advantage of my time and expertise.

After that experience, I’ve changed the way I do business with friends and family. Consider these tips for avoiding a similar (uncomfortable) situation. [Read more...]