Today was a boring and yet quite frustrating day. I’m kind of getting a taste of what my job is going to be like once I get through all of my training for the Lead Event Specialist—and I’m already a little stressed about it. I have so much to learn and I’m afraid people aren’t going to take me seriously.
“Oh it’s just ChipMunk.” (my nickname at work)
“Why should I do anything she says?”
Uh, because it’s your job! And you should do it properly if you want to keep it!
Ok. So I don’t feel that way towards everyone–there’s just a few that really irk me. But I can’t hold their hand. They have to be responsible for their own actions and I can’t put my job on the line for them. Which is harder than you may think.
I’m the type of person that wants everyone to succeed, even if that means having to do the work myself and dragging them along for the ride, instead of letting them learn to do it themselves. (Helping my kid with homework should be a blast! NOT!) I can’t do everything for everyone. I have to let them live and learn. I can’t place their responsibilities on my shoulders. I can guide and teach, but ultimately, they have to do it on their own. In the mean time, I’ll be over here biting my nails and worrying like crazy.
Remember when I said I worked with all kinds of people from all different walks of life? Well, as I’ve gotten to know each of my co-workers, I have observed some of their strengths and weaknesses. I know what they are all capable of and what would typically overwhelm them.
I am the kind of person that gets overwhelmed easily, but I push through it and break things down into simpler steps. Sometimes that means doing one product at a time instead of simultaneously or splitting my products up–doing one before lunch and a different one after lunch. And I always try to not let the customer rush me. If they really want a sample, they will wait til I have one ready. Most of my goofs have happened because I was rushing.
Today, I saw a co-worker (we’ll call him Mr. Magoo), struggling with his demo. He had 3 different products and he was overwhelmed and totally disorganized. Now, I have known Mr. Magoo for 6 months now and know he can handle only 2 products at a time and should only deal with pre-cooked foods when it comes to cooking. Did I mention Mr. Magoo was in his 80’s??? Anyways I brought my concerns up to the Boss Man and he just brushed them aside. Said it was an easy demo and what was so difficult about it?
Now, I like the Boss Man. I do. And I cut him a little slack since he is still learning the ropes, but my gosh, he’s also like 30 years younger than Mr. Magoo!!! And something that is easy for say, a twenty -something year old is not going to be easy for a man in his 80’s. That’s just common sense. But the Boss Man didn’t listen. He didn’t take into consideration that people have limits. Heck, even I have limits! And I’m supposed to be a spring chicken!!!
It was sooo frustrating and my heart just went out to Mr. Magoo cuz I just didn’t know how to help him. And he’s such a sweetheart that he’d never admit he can’t do something or even ask for help.
Eventually, we were able to simplify things for him and he survived his demo. Mr. Magoo is always sneaking me samples—just like Grandpa. It was actually quite tasty too!
Memiors of a Sample-Lady 