Comments at work that I take to the head..help?

[AlexzandraLove]

Hi all,

So I started working at Barnes & Noble in the beginning of October of this year.
I'm still new and it's been several weeks since I started of course.

I've gotten a lot of compliments about how I'm doing so far, from customers and head cashiers and cashiers and my manager, who have all of course been there longer. I know I'm very personable, so it's easy for me to talk to a lot of people and be friendly & heart warming, especially since it's genuine. I've also caught on quickly to a lot of what I have to know, as well.

My problem is, when something happens so far as if I make a little mistake, even though I'm new, I really beat myself up over it. I'm talking being paranoid when I leave that I'm gonna get a call that I'm in trouble or gonna be let go over these things, and that's crazy talk.

Like tonight, a head cashier was late for his break because I was being slow with the counting out process cause the calculator clogged up what I added. On top of that, I had some days off before today plus Tuesday & Wednesday I was out because I got really sick, and I'm still not better. I had a fever of 102, was vomiting, had chills and I had to go to urgent care and get meds prescribed to me. I got penicilin & claritin. So I had time to rest, but of course going into work today, I was out of sorts, you know?

So anyway, he said to me that I have to be faster with the process, especially around this time because we're busy from the holidays now. I sort of felt like maybe he said that because he was late on his break and it was hectic today, so maybe he was slightly frustrated, even though he was being polite and tired at the same time. I also know another one of the head cashiers would of told me to take my time.

See what I mean? I drive myself absolutely nuts.

So I would love to know, since I'm very desperate to get past all of the dwelling on negative comments and little things that probably aren't against me, is how can I work on this and overcome this?

I'd appreciate your tips, tricks, advice, etc.

Thank you!

[Angelique]

As far as getting faster, can you ask for help? I mean, ask a few of your co-workers how they speed things up. Also, is there any way you can practice, even if it's off the clock. You might not get paid, but if it makes you a badass it might be worth it.

I can relate to your comments about taking little things like that to heart. I always get so impatient when I don't learn quickly, especially at a job. Kill those doubts. Interrupt yourself with thoughts of progress. Remind yourself that you are doing your best and that very soon, you will be a badass. The self-doubt will quickly wither away and leave you, if you let it. Anyone else's comments/frustrations are their own problems and they mean nothing about you.

[ZephyrusX]

I think making mistakes is inevitable, and yes, sometimes you are going to annoy customers and coworkers. Besides just accepting this, I think the best thing to do is to put a positive spin onto things. I almost always learn something new when I make a mistake, for example. There are also ways of behaving and speaking to customers and coworkers that either escalate or deescalate the situation. Just take a moment to reflect over the mistakes you made, make a note of how you can improve (if a applicable) and let it go.

It is really how you handle mistakes and dissatisfaction that counts.

[Clint Cora]

Nobody can do a perfect job at all times. Also, in order to become better at anything, one must make mistakes so it's okay to make them as long as you learn from them. As far as negative comments at work (or so you perceive them), you should take them as clues or pointers on how to do your job even better then you are already.

If nobody gave you any pointers or comments and only praise, you would only be doing your job at your present level. Even though you might be doing a pretty good job, you actually will not be improving because nobody is telling you how.

If you took any negative comments as clues, then at least they give you some direction on where to improve so you can do your job even better than before, rather than just maintain the same level.

Hope this makes some sort of sense.

[ZephyrusX]

I was thinking about this and I think what Angelique said is important too. Everyone makes mistakes. There are no perfectionists. And whether we like it or not, our coworkers, customers, friends and family are going to be annoyed with us at times. I think it is important to let them feel their frustration directed at you without making it mean anything intrinsically about who you are as a person. Chances are, the coworker mentioned in the OP was just annoyed that he was late for his break, and so long as you don't make a continual habit of counting out slowly, I doubt that he is going to feel that way the next day. So just let him feel frustrated. It doesn't necessarily mean anything about you nor the future of your relationship.

Originally Posted by Angelique

Anyone else's comments/frustrations are their own problems and they mean nothing about you.

[Angelique]

Originally Posted by ZephyrusX

I was thinking about this and I think what Angelique said is important too.

What you quoted is an idea I learned from Angela. One of the best perspectives I've been learning to practice.