Breaking this destructive thought process is easier than you may think. If you have met with users about the key business processes and have timed those processes, you have already demonstrated you care and know what is important to them. If you have not met with them, then schedule a meeting right away. Time is of the essence.

Next, create a way for users to monitor your progress whenever they wish. This could be as simple as a basic web page, with both numbers and graphs, or a notice with the same information periodically posted in a location convenient to the users. Keep it simple and to the point. If your posting becomes confusing to them, not only will they continue to interrupt and distract you from doing your work, but you will have also failed to break the destructive "you're an idiot" cycle.

I have rarely been to a customer site where there was not an immediate and relatively easy performance improvement opportunity. It is in everyone's best interest to perform a very quick analysis looking for these opportunities. While my analysis is performed quickly, I still follow my methods, but I don't spend as much time gathering perfect data and waiting for the "ah ha!" moments to occur. It's more of a "ram the analysis through my brain as fast as I can" exercise. Then I discuss the options with my client. Some changes may require an instance cycle; others may not. I also will try to give input, quantifying if possible, on which solution will impact performance the most. We look at combining uptime requirements with potential performance gains, and together, my client and I determine how to implement my recommendations.