[Achy Turtle Armor]

Besides all the unbelievable love & support I have here, my day has been kinda ******. First, I want to acknowledge that my T is right... Again. He says that all my shaking in my hands is due to stress and stuff. I just assumed that I had it all the time but it must've been better a few weeks ago because it's back and I'm noticing it. It's bothering me. Having difficulty typing.

I want to share what's going on at my work. I am in charge of receiving all the stuff that comes into the bookstore. On average I get about 125 boxes a day. This means two or three pallets of boxes. On average the boxes weigh 30lbs but they can get up to 50 & 60lbs. Sorry... Too lazy to convert to stones.

Anyway, I'm going to brag here. I rocked at my job. We're supposed to do 10 boxes an hour and I was well over 15 boxes an hour. Everytime the district manager comes to my receiving room she is dead impressed. "Wow. The other stores are so behind. In some receiving rooms you can hardly move. Good job!" Of course I don't get exceeds standards but that is another issue.

Two weeks ago I was told that the way I do things has to change. I am not to standard with in store operations. I've been doing this job now going on 8 years and the efficient way I do things is now a problem. Obviously everything needs to be efficient and quick. I devised a way 7 years ago to make us (me & my one employee) faster.

This is what we *did*. We'd scan, open, & then sort the books in the boxs on the counter and into 10 different boxes that were on the floor between us. The counter is about 16 feet long. The boxes were, fiction, mystery, travel, business, etc.. We would then take the sorted books to the appropriate cart and sort them there. If you know your books well enough, the first time you sort you don't need to scan them to figure out that it's a religion book, for example. When we get the book to the cart, then is when we scan it to see exactly where it goes unless the box was all mystery, for example. By the way these carts are then taken out to the floor to be shelved there for the shoppers.

I really know how to ramble on huh?

Anyway, this is no longer allowed. No. I have to do it like the other stores that are, if you remember, way behind us. Or they were. The reason... It's just not how it's done. We are supposed to sort it all on the counter. Then drag the carts to the counter to sort again there. Trust me when I say that this is not efficient. Way more scanning and confusion.

Here's an example. We used to have seperate boxes for sci-fi, mystery, and romance. So I get a book that looks like romance or sci-fi for example. I scan it to see what it is and toss it into the appropriate box. When the box is full I know everything in it is romance, for instance, and all I have to do then is empty it onto the romance cart. The way it is now, all of those categories are piled together on the counter so when it's time to sort onto the cart I have to scan it a second time.

What does this mean in the grand scheme of things? Well I am now 60+ boxes behind. I've been behind since last Friday. I'm expecting to continue to get 100 to 200 boxes a day. So what? Well inventory is in two weeks and I HAVE to have everything finished.

I am freaking out. I could do it the old way when my boss is away but then he thinks that the new way is working. I can continue to push myself and not catch up but then I get more stressed. I don't know what to do except start each day on a positive note but by the end of my day I see how far behind we are and I start to get really angry.

If you read this far thank you. At least you got a peek into the world of bookselling.

My T says that he wonders if some of my anger is due to my own personal problems. I told him that I am probably over reacting but I don't know how not to go Borderline on the problem. I just *try* to keep it together while I'm there. This doesn't mean that I don't beat the **** out of empty boxes or throw **** when I'm all alone. I used to love love love my job. I want that back desperately.

[Space Wizard]

Even to someone who isn't suffering from BPD, the exceedingly bizarre desires and demands of upper management are maddening, frustrating, and enraging. "That's just now how things are done, so you have to do it a shittier way" has been such a common thread in my working life.

Your emotions are more than simply valid, they're completely natural and common due to the ridiculous nature of work in the modern age. It's ridiculous and you're totally justified. You have the unique ability to recognize this ******** for what it is: ********.

But I'll step off my soapbox.

Point is, hang in there. You've got this. One day at a time.

Dearest,

First off, high five on coming up with an efficient processing method ! I worked shipping and receiving at a bookstore for 6 years - packing, unpacking, driving forklifts, moving palletes, etc. So, I can relate to what you're saying

About being a few days behind, look at it this way - if you get stressed, who does it help ? No one ! Doesn't help you coz it ruins your day, and it sure as hell doesn't help the bookstore, coz stressed employees frequently aren't productive employees.

So, try to step back a bit and take it easy. I mean, I know the job is important but 60 boxes is not the end of the world ... even your manager would agree. So, if your manager or anyone else is unhappy with your work, just find a way to smooth things out ... just be calm about it ... let them know that you didn't do this intentionally (they already know this) ... assure them that you will catch up and make up for being behind.

But, take it easy ! Please don't beat yourself up about it. In the grand scheme of things, they're 60 F%^&*ING boxes !!! Even to the bookstore, you, an experienced and valued employee, are way more important, than those boxes, so I'm sure they would also want you to be happy at work. It is in everyone's best interest if you're happy and healthy.

So, it's no big deal, dear. If you feel an apology or some sort of clarification is needed with your superiors, just state it calmly and assure them that you will make up for it, and move on. I'm sure they will understand ... everyone makes mistakes ... and yours wasn't really even a mistake ! You did things better than expected !

Most of all, take it easy. Drink some chamomile tea at work, listen to music if that's allowed (at my bookstore warehouse, it was), relax a bit. No one hates you for this. You matter more than the boxes, to everyone involved.

One general tip ... when you find things at work getting to you ... zoom out: You're zoomed into the bookstore, where 60 boxes are important. So, zoom out ... into outer space. You see the Earth, the continents, stars and moons around you ... now, what the hell do those boxes mean ? Can you even see them anymore ? Are they important in the grand scheme of things ?

[Achy Turtle Armor]

Originally Posted by lilodian4ever

Dearest,

First off, high five on coming up with an efficient processing method ! I worked shipping and receiving at a bookstore for 6 years - packing, unpacking, driving forklifts, moving palletes, etc. So, I can relate to what you're saying

About being a few days behind, look at it this way - if you get stressed, who does it help ? No one ! Doesn't help you coz it ruins your day, and it sure as hell doesn't help the bookstore, coz stressed employees frequently aren't productive employees.

So, try to step back a bit and take it easy. I mean, I know the job is important but 60 boxes is not the end of the world ... even your manager would agree. So, if your manager or anyone else is unhappy with your work, just find a way to smooth things out ... just be calm about it ... let them know that you didn't do this intentionally (they already know this) ... assure them that you will catch up and make up for being behind.

But, take it easy ! Please don't beat yourself up about it. In the grand scheme of things, they're 60 F%^&*ING boxes !!! Even to the bookstore, you, an experienced and valued employee, are way more important, than those boxes, so I'm sure they would also want you to be happy at work. It is in everyone's best interest if you're happy and healthy.

So, it's no big deal, dear. If you feel an apology or some sort of clarification is needed with your superiors, just state it calmly and assure them that you will make up for it, and move on. I'm sure they will understand ... everyone makes mistakes ... and yours wasn't really even a mistake ! You did things better than expected !

Most of all, take it easy. Drink some chamomile tea at work, listen to music if that's allowed (at my bookstore warehouse, it was), relax a bit. No one hates you for this. You matter more than the boxes, to everyone involved.

One general tip ... when you find things at work getting to you ... zoom out: You're zoomed into the bookstore, where 60 boxes are important. So, zoom out ... into outer space. You see the Earth, the continents, stars and moons around you ... now, what the hell do those boxes mean ? Can you even see them anymore ? Are they important in the grand scheme of things ?

So how much do I owe you?

You're totally right. This is the kind of stuff my therapist tells me and somehow I almost always forget.

Just books & boxes
Zoom out

Got it.

[freespirit37]

Scanning every single book sounds tedious and inefficient. Most inventory calculators allow you to scan a UPC code then enter the number of items with that code. Does your calculator have that option?

If it were me, I would perform the duties the way my boss wanted it when my boss was around, and when the boss was gone, I would do it my way.

I've had to do that before with a boss that made unreasonable demands and didn't even know anything about the department she was in charge of. She would tell me to do stuff that was wrong. She made my job more difficult. A big part of my job was entering payroll data and it had to be done in an accurate and timely manner, or people wouldn't get their checks on time or their checks would be incorrect. Sometimes when she was in the office, I would get so irritated with her unreasonable demands that I would take my work into a spare office in the basement and work in the dark so I could get my work done without her finding me.

[Achy Turtle Armor]

Originally Posted by freespirit37

Scanning every single book sounds tedious and inefficient. Most inventory calculators allow you to scan a UPC code then enter the number of items with that code. Does your calculator have that option?

If it were me, I would perform the duties the way my boss wanted it when my boss was around, and when the boss was gone, I would do it my way.

I've had to do that before with a boss that made unreasonable demands and didn't even know anything about the department she was in charge of. She would tell me to do stuff that was wrong. She made my job more difficult. A big part of my job was entering payroll data and it had to be done in an accurate and timely manner, or people wouldn't get their checks on time or their checks would be incorrect. Sometimes when she was in the office, I would get so irritated with her unreasonable demands that I would take my work into a spare office in the basement and work in the dark so I could get my work done without her finding me.

Yes. That sounds right. My boss probably has ocd because he is constantly straightening stacks of books. I work better when he is not popping in every ten minutes.

I did catch up today which is a huge relief but it is only because my delivery didn't show. That means 201 for tomorrow. I'm more relaxed about it now. Also I did do something new today and yesterday that seems to help a bit. I am realizing that whatever they want me to do, I will find some way to save a step. It just takes a bit to figure it out. Thanks for the support and reply.

[Space Wizard]

Originally Posted by Achy Turtle Armor

I am realizing that whatever they want me to do, I will find some way to save a step.

That's a fun feeling, isn't it?