Back to work tommorrow

exuser01

Well-known member
Well I've been out of work for a whole while. And since I lost a bunch of money on my investment in atari(don't ask, I suck at trading), I'll be going to work at Meijer(like Wal Mart). I know, pretty pathetic for someone to be working there at 20, but I gotta start somewhere.

Anyways, I'm nervous. I mean if I was just working there to help out I wouldn't worry at all. But because I wear a uniform and now have "responsibility", I get nervous. I don't like the people watching me work, judging my performance. I'm also tend to loose focus and screw things up a bit. Hell, last time I was in a store like that I was trying to put the glass containers into the fucking cans and plastic bottle return. Terri Schiavo would probably be a better hire.

I dunno what it is, I mean handling items I would never buy, items that belong to people I would never come in contact with, working for a store that holds a reputation, it frightens me. How do you people prep for this, eh?
 

Rainman

Well-known member
MrRightNow said:
Well I've been out of work for a whole while. And since I lost a bunch of money on my investment in atari(don't ask, I suck at trading), I'll be going to work at Meijer(like Wal Mart). I know, pretty pathetic for someone to be working there at 20, but I gotta start somewhere.

Anyways, I'm nervous. I mean if I was just working there to help out I wouldn't worry at all. But because I wear a uniform and now have "responsibility", I get nervous. I don't like the people watching me work, judging my performance. I'm also tend to loose focus and screw things up a bit. Hell, last time I was in a store like that I was trying to put the glass containers into the fucking cans and plastic bottle return.

I dunno what it is, I mean handling items I would never buy, items that belong to people I would never come in contact with, working for a store that holds a reputation, it frightens me. How do you people prep for this, eh?

Many congratulations for getting a job. This is a really big thing you've done; so reward yourself for doing it.

What happens now, and I'll be frank, it is not going to be easy. You'll have to talk to people, be it customers, co-workers and management. You'll probably feel uncomfortable, feel you are being judged and be comparing yourself to your peers. You may even feel inadequate and odd.

At this point you need to ask yourself why you are doing this job. If you're doing this job to make friends, then that is probably not the best attitude to have and will only worsen your SP. But if you're doing this job to get some work experience and some cash flow, then all you need to concern yourselves with is doing your job well.

Make it your number one priority to do your job. As soon as you get there, get straight to your job, do not concern yourselves with the business of your co-workers, or who is looking at you, or what others are talking about or whether their going to include you or not.

This will establish your independence. It tells the rest, that you're serious and commited to your work and they are not your first priority. You will get more respect for that.

But, be careful, that you do not come as arrogant, rude or anti-social. You can do that by smiling at others and listening to them when they talk.

You do not have to make any efforts yourself to make conversation, but you will be approached by others for conversation. If you feel uncomfortable speaking, you don't have to, listen to them and show you're listening by asking them questions and paraphrasing what they say to you. If they ask questions of you or ask you share opinions/experiences, just keep them short and make eye contact and keep your body posture open.

Remember the names of your co-workers(definitely your manager :D ) and greet them by their names when you see them.

As this is the real world, you may come across people who don't like you or you don't like. Just keep your relationship with them strictly professional, don't make them a part of your personal life.

This all you need to survive in the job, whilst maintainng your individuality and self-respect.
 

StealThis

Well-known member
I'm working in a store like that right now.. It sucks, i'm not gonna sugar coat it. The first few weeks for me was the worst but once I got the hang things a lot of the anxiety went away. I hate working there though and I wanna quit everyday I go in there :)
 

exuser01

Well-known member
StealThis said:
I'm working in a store like that right now.. It sucks, i'm not gonna sugar coat it. The first few weeks for me was the worst but once I got the hang things a lot of the anxiety went away. I hate working there though and I wanna quit everyday I go in there :)

Thanks for the pick-me-up.


Rainman, you are right about taking pride in your job not in how you come off with fellow employees or customers. But I mean going out there and working when I barely leave the house,I'm feeling like the guy in Shawshank Redemption. "I saw an IPod once as a kid, but now they're everywhere."
 

Rainman

Well-known member
Rainman, you are right about taking pride in your job not in how you come off with fellow employees or customers. But I mean going out there and working when I barely leave the house,I'm feeling like the guy in Shawshank Redemption. "I saw an IPod once as a kid, but now they're everywhere."

That's a natural reaction to expanding your comfort zone. You're so use to being at home, that going out there to work now, seems very uncomfortable and daunting. There is no question about it, this is going to be uncomfortable in the beginning, but the more you do it, the more it you will become habitualized to it, until it's as natural to you as it is staying home right now.

You are going to learn new habits, and whenever you learn anything, it does not click with you right away and it seems difficult at the start. This is going be a learning experience for you, and if you perservere and push yourself, you will definitely come out better out of this.
 

IceLad

Well-known member
I remember the first few weeks of my current job- a non-stop rollercoaster of anxiety. The important thing is to hang on in there and believe me after a few weeks, you'll become much more used to it and your anxiety won't be anywhere near as bad.

Congratulations and good luck!
 
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