Sore stomach / Anxiety before work

Hi

I have been in my job working at an internet helpdesk since about the middle of June. For the most part I enjoy it , there is still a lot to learn. My main concern is most days I feel quite anxious and worried about work and have a sore stomach before I start work in the morning. This is due to feeling that I wont be able to help a customer properly on the phone , when in fact most times I do deal with them fairly well
I also have quite a fear of angry customers, people complaining about their internet not going or being charged wrongly and other problems. I havent had to many so far but when I do get them it does effect me quite a bit. I dont like it when people get angry. People say dont take it personally. I think that is easier said than done

Anyone have any ideas/advice?

Thanking you in advance

Andrew

How about trying some Valerian Root (a natural herb) at least 30 minutes before work.... it is great for calming the nerves, and for anxiety bouts.

Take - Care..... and remember that most FEARS never happen.

LoVe,
Rhapsody - ((( hugs )))

Hello Andrew.

First off I am sorry to hear about the uncomfortable anxiety and stomach upset you are suffering.

I have a few ideas that may help.

My first idea is about your worry that you won't be able to properly help a customer. Do you have a supervisor, or other co-workers in the office? I ask because you could reassure yourself every morning by saying to yourself "I am good at my job, I am able to help my customers and deal with their concerns, but in the rare event that I am unable to help them properly I will ask _______ (name of a coworker or supervisor) for assistance"

As for the fear of angry customers, you could reassure yourself before work that the customers are angry because of having a broken internet or being charged wrongly, they are angry about having to call a helpdesk, but your job is to help them and by doing your job and helping them you will be reducing their anger and helping them feel better.

I used to work in customer service, and when I had to deal with angry or beligerant customers I reminded myself that it wasn't my fault that they were angry and I reminded myself that I was helping them to resolve the anger-causing problem, and if necessary I would kindly remind the customer themselves that I did not cause the problem that is angering them by saying something like "Sir, I understand that this situation is very upseting and I'm very sorry for that, but I did not personally cause this situation and in fact I am trying to help you resolve the problem."

Most of the time it worked and the customer calmed down. Occasionally it didn't work and the customer was still angry over the situation, but I never had a customer get more angry at me for reminding them that I didn't cause the problem and I was trying to help them.

I hope that might help

Liz

welcome Andrew!
You are not alone, as I suffer from the same thing.
The key is to take some deep breaths and to try to take on one task at a time. Catastrophizing(sp) is the worst and can be very difficult to control, but you can do it!
Just think you always have a backup, if it's a supervisor or just one of your cooworkers.
We have faith in you.

All I can say is good luck. I have the same problem and it usually gets worse than that for me.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but if you find a solution I'd definitely be interested in it.

Andrew...hello...Yes it is easier to say don't take it personal...than to actually sit there and talk to these angry people...I know I worked in retail for 6 years and had to deal with the public...some people are just angry with the world and take it out on you...Please try not to get so upset...It won't change the meanies...you are cared about here at PC and they don't know you! If it gets too overwhelming can you call your supervisor to take over the call? that would get you off the hook...lol...anyhow (((hugs))) to you...

When I start a new job it usually always takes me up to six months to get comfortable and feel confident enough. I usually get stiff necks for the first couple weeks!

Do you have any favorite books, good luck "charms" or things that encourage or soothe you (quotes or pictures, etc.) which you could take to work, any previous experiences like this one that ended up okay so you can remind yourself the fear has a limited shelf life?

Sometimes it helps me to get up extra early and have a "quiet time" before work, work on a hobby or journal or read (maybe take up meditation?). I know what you mean about the anger thing, took me a long time in therapy and actual "practice" before I learned I can "survive" other's anger and that it's just a loud complaint, not something directed at me. Maybe if you can think of it as the people complaining rather than being angry, that might help? "Angry" is such an emotionally charged word all by itself whereas "gripe" or "complaint" feels much tamer to me. Reframe your thinking about the situations?