[LiteraryLark]

As most know, I am a housekeeper at a 4 star hotel. Because of the stress of my brother coming home from the military, Christmas, a vicious cold, constantly being on the go which is out of my normal routine, and the fact that yesterday was the anniversary of my hospitalization, I've been so fried at work and feeling so overwhelmed that my performance has been far below average over the past two weeks and during my last shift I was asked to leave early after completing only two rooms in 4 hours with both rooms having major cleanliness issues. I felt so awful and now I'm terrified to go back because I'm doubtful that things will get better or that I may not regain their confidence in my abilities.

I need a game plan to rebuild my confidence and prove to not only my bosses but to myself that I am perfectly capable of excellence. It must be kept simple and keep me focused without overwhelming myself with a big long checklist of everything I need to do. I know exactly what I need to do, I have not forgotten how to clean a room. It's a mind game of doubt and worry and I must overcome it. My goal is to be the best that I can be and give 110% regardless if I make mistakes. My everyday mindset must be, "Yeah, maybe I missed one little thing, but I can walk away at the end of my shift confident and proud knowing I did my absolute best and that my bosses are proud and happy with the work I do."

Here are a couple ideas, and I would like some input and other ideas on what I can do to improve my work performance.

Each day I receive a paper of the list of rooms. I would like to write on my paper three goals to work on in the room itself, and then three goals to work on my mental health. My mental health goals can be an inspiring quote, an activity, or a positive phrase.

I would also like to incorporate time into my day for mindfulness and meditation, and off work have relaxing activities to take my mind off work.

[LiteraryLark]

I think writing down mantras may help and I can get duct tape and write down inspiring quotes on my cart...I can do that as long as it can be removed.

[Nammu]

It is better to go and try than to not go, wonder and regret

[TerryL]

i am sorry you feel overwhelmed. it really is hard to work well when there are worries on your mind. i wish i had some helpful advice. just wanted to say good for you for trying think of ways to make things better at work! am wishing you all the best!

An elastic band round your wrist that you can snap to help you think "snap out of it"?
A special item of jewellery, like a lucky charm?
A comfort bag? Like a small fanny pack with comfy things in it that remind you of home, or good things?
A small soft toy strapped to the cart?
A t shirt with a good saying on it?

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

My mental health goals can be an inspiring quote, an activity, or a positive phrase.

I would also like to incorporate time into my day for mindfulness and meditation, and off work have relaxing activities to take my mind off work.

It can be easy to go from having great concentration and being on track at work to the opposite.

Sometimes if you work long hours and do not get 2 days off in a row, you just get tired, affecting you performance. So if you work long hours (more than 40 hrs a week) or have an inconsistent schedule (less than 8 hours a day but they make you come in 7 days a week), I suggest getting away from it all for a couple of days. Then you will come back refreshed improving your concentration. I also think it's helpful to go to bed at the same time every night and attend yoga classes. Walking and running alone for at least 30 minutes a day can also be meditative.

Work burns many people out...don't feel bad about those weak performances, I bet you have had good days as well. Try to live for the future and in the present because we can't change the past.

[Yoda]

I would consider talking to your manager or supervisor and telling them that you have had stressors in your private life that has made it difficult for you to function at your best and you would like the opportunity to continue work and your job is very important to you. You don't need to give specifics of what is happening in your life, just let them know something is awry.

[cakeladie]

I agree with nammu and yoda. You need to go back and talk to them. Also you might ask how others get through their shifts with ease some of them might have some tricks

I worked with doctors and sometimes they would come in and yell at me for stuff that wasn't my fault. My coworker told me I have to be like a duck and let it roll right off my back like water to a ducks back. It just rolls right off the duck.

You can do this

[LiteraryLark]

Thank you for all the support and ideas....theres definitely been some great advice here.

[seesaw]

I'm sorry, Literary, I feel so much compassion for you, but I have no specific advice. I do think having a frank discussion with your supervisors about what you're going through and asking for specific feedback on the improvements they'd like to see, so you can go through that checklist with each room when you finish it, would be helpful.

I know when my emotions are getting to me at work, the thing that I do is take a deep breath and make a list of what I need to accomplish. Then every time I start to feel emotional again, I look at my list and push myself back to my tasks. Maybe that will help you?

Seesaw

Hi LiteraryLark, I think you have some great ideas. You sound very driven too. . I'm also sorry that things are hard for you right now. Hang in there, I hope it gets better.

[DechanDawa]

I hope things have improved for you. I started a high pressure job a month ago. I try not to give myself too many tasks to improve. Pick the most important one and work on that for the day. You didn't say why it took you so long to clean two rooms. Did they present more cleaning than other rooms? That's something to report to the manager. You can only work so fast and get so much done in any given time. I do my best at my job but they aren't paying me enough money to push myself beyond sanity just to get tasks done.

I also have enormous life problems but I try to leave them at the door. In talking with my coworkers I find that everyone has problems...divorce, illness of family members, financial problems, relationship problems, lack of transportation, etc. etc. etc. Everyone has problems. So I have been trying to leave my problems at the door and it is actually a relief to work hard and to leave other things to think about after work.

I always make sure I get enough sleep because I cannot do this job without sleep.

Good Luck. Please let us know how you are doing.

[LiteraryLark]

Today was so awful. It started out great, I checked in with my boss and she was sincere when she said my rooms looked really good and my stayovers were great. I tried really hard to do my very best. Then 3 o'clock came around and I still had five checkouts when everyone else was wrapping up. I had a nervous breakdown and started crying. My coworker I trust told me not to stress out because 20 rooms is a lot of work for anyone. Everyone else went home when they were done and I spent the last hour and a half by myself until a coworker from front desk came up to help me. I feel so awful. No matter how hard I try I still manage to screw up and disappoint people, and I really tried my hardest but it still wasn't good enough. I'm freaking out about all the worst case scenarios running through my head.

The only possible bright side is that my coworker and I came up with an agreement to work together on our rooms as a team. Mind you, he can be a bit flaky and usually comes in an hour late, but I hope he does not change his mind about things because I like him as a coworker and we get along great, I think having the diversion of someone to talk to while I work plus getting rooms done quicker by working together would really help me at this point. I'm at my wits end and I feel like I'm running out of options and time is running out for me. :_(

[eyesclosed]

Hello
It's rare to find a suprvisor who will tell you your a awsome worker and were glad to have you. When I was in custodial maintenance my problem was i cleaned to good and spent to much time on minor details, but that's how I clean.

[DechanDawa]

I think your idea of working with a coworker is a good one. It's okay if he's a flake. Just work together. It is so much easier. I think if you have a coworker as a team partner you will feel more connection at work and that is really important. I am proud of you for presenting us with a solution for your problem.

Please try not to think of yourself as a screw-up. You are coming up with solutions and that's great...that is the best thing any worker can offer. Try not to be so hard on yourself.

Please keep checking in with us. I am very interested in how your teamwork will go. Without teamwork I absolutely could not do my job. Good Luck. You are really doing fine.

[unaluna]

Are teams allowed, or are you expected to do the rooms by yourself? Like do you have to ask permission to team up? I just dont want you getting mgmt mad at you for stg avoidable

Other than that, from what ive read, its about doing one room in x number of minutes, which means x1 minutes for task1, etc. Its a hard job. I used to clean the beauty shop i worked at, but it took me 3 days. Im very slow, ocd, and fat.

[LiteraryLark]

Today was a spectacular day. In the morning I checked in with my boss and told her briefly about the stress I was under and she wrote three goals on my board before I came in: Stay focused, don't take extra breaks, and trust myself. She told me I do very well in my rooms when I am focused and she knows I can do it.

So I decided to jam. I was literally singing my heart out and dancing to every song on Pandora while I was cleaning. All the best songs came on that normally don't, and all my coworkers heard me singing (poorly) and my boss was happy with my rooms. When "Jailhouse Rock" came on I was rocking out, dancing around the room like crazy and cleaning at the same time! I had a mini competition with my coworker to see who can finish first and I beat her, but we were neck and neck the whole day and I finished two minutes before 4. At the end I drew Charlie Brown on my board and wrote with little music notes, "I feel better when I'm dancing" by Megan Trainor from the Peanuts movie. I am so exhausted but I feel wonderful, an immense improvement from yesterday. I hope I can keep the momentum going and strive to do my best every day!

[divine1966]

Well done!!!!!

[unaluna]

Great news! I really like her hints of stay focused and trust yourself. And music would often help me stay focused too. Esp a ryt - on a task with a beat to it, she said after trying to spell rhythymic 3 times!