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Old Sep 23, 2023, 08:21 AM
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insideoutsider insideoutsider is offline
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Member Since: Jul 2023
Location: East Coast USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aurelius710 View Post
Yesterday was more stressful than usual, in particular work. In addition to the normal stressors of phones and phone sales, I had two separate individuals get livid with me over the exact same thing. I was helping other customers with rather complex tech issues that required my full concentration. One guy decided he was going to get into my physical space to try and force me to pay attention to him. Turns out, he wasn't even after me. He was after a Wally World associate and decided I'd do, despite the fact I work for an outside company, have a completely different uniform and was right in the middle of a phone issue with a lot of moving pieces. I hadn't had a chance to say anything to set him off because I was too laser focused on my tech issue to notice. He carried on for a bit, I ignored him (Which probably didn't improve his mood, but if he was going to abusive, I could care less.) and eventually got out of my hair and presumably where he needed to be.

The other customer's reason for being mad was incomprehensible to me from a "basic facts about prepaid phones" standpoint. This gentleman wanted me to put time on his phone... and was livid when I wanted to use his phone to put time on. Now, I've been at it enough that I can explain phone concepts in plain language. I tried three times to explain it, but he just wasn't getting it, so he stormed off. I shrugged my shoulders and got back to my day.

I usually ruminate after a day like yesterday, dwelling on the embarrassment, anger and shame (real or perceived). Thinking on "What if?" and fearing consequences, even when consequences aren't warranted. I mean, why would I be punished?

I didn't ruminate last night and I'm beyond thrilled. I'm also shocked as this hasn't been my natural mental state in a LONG time. I don't know how else to put it other than I used to be in a perpetual fight or flight mode for a lot of my twenties. It's hard to divorce yourself from that mindset and I'm proud of myself for making progress in that regard!
I don't know how you do it.. I think I know what you're talking about - I try to give such sales people as much grace as possible. Trying to look not impatient when waiting, allowing them to do whatever, making sure I visit when I have an open schedule.

At work the "what if" you mentioned about consequences and punishment, the way I see it is if it was meant to happen, it would have already, or in the near future, happen. I try using my best judgement before I do things. Also.. if you "own it" and explain your thought processes for why things happened, that goes a LONG way. I'd say, don't let other people make you think what is what. If you feel like you know, go with it, while also being mindful and not arrogant, etc, I'm sure you understand.

Ya, the 20s fight or flight.. I'd too, rather have experienced it sooner rather than later. These days I know it can be a mindset leveraged in bad times, which in a interesting way eases
my mind in the present to know I've got the tools to back myself up
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Thanks for this!
Aurelius710, bizi, Crazy Hitch, Rosi700