First question you have to ask yourself - "do you want to?"
Second question - "should you?" (e.g. they helped you re-build your engine last summer, then yes, help them)
If you are genuinely busy with professional or even other personal projects, give a time-frame of when you MIGHT feel up to it. If their reaction carries any entitlement, they fall further down the list. (Sometimes I'll use something I've had on my list for months/years as an example of time it may take to get to helping someone I don't like enough to be a priority)
Other factors I take into consideration: Are they genuinely wanting to learn something enough to do it with me so they can do for themselves and then teach others? Is it a relationship were they are genuinely a friend who would help me out if asked, or do they just ask of others? What time is involved, if it's a quick couple minute something I'll probably do it because I can and if they know me well enough to ask, I probably care enough to find a couple minutes. Are they understanding of the costs of materials, or is it scrap/excess material I don't mind using to make room for something else?
In your case for this instance having already explained that you're busy, I'd suggest you be direct that there's no way there's time before the con. Perhaps you could offer a couple minutes on the phone giving advice on what materials/tools are needed, and perhaps best search terms for youtube videos most likely to explain processes for them to learn themselves. Cost to you, nothing, so long as you can multitask.
Second question - "should you?" (e.g. they helped you re-build your engine last summer, then yes, help them)
If you are genuinely busy with professional or even other personal projects, give a time-frame of when you MIGHT feel up to it. If their reaction carries any entitlement, they fall further down the list. (Sometimes I'll use something I've had on my list for months/years as an example of time it may take to get to helping someone I don't like enough to be a priority)
Other factors I take into consideration: Are they genuinely wanting to learn something enough to do it with me so they can do for themselves and then teach others? Is it a relationship were they are genuinely a friend who would help me out if asked, or do they just ask of others? What time is involved, if it's a quick couple minute something I'll probably do it because I can and if they know me well enough to ask, I probably care enough to find a couple minutes. Are they understanding of the costs of materials, or is it scrap/excess material I don't mind using to make room for something else?
In your case for this instance having already explained that you're busy, I'd suggest you be direct that there's no way there's time before the con. Perhaps you could offer a couple minutes on the phone giving advice on what materials/tools are needed, and perhaps best search terms for youtube videos most likely to explain processes for them to learn themselves. Cost to you, nothing, so long as you can multitask.
