Hello!

I am having an interesting growth spurt

On lesson 14,(Controlling Stress) we are taught to practice, talking slower...walking
slower...driving slower. Keeping it simple.
I was really liking that

The challenge I am facing now, is that my new job is very fast paced. For what I am expected to accomplish in my day, I am racing the clock . I go home feeling nauseous.

All I can go is take a nice bath and fall into bed. I am still learning alot, although the majority of my co-workers act like their all in high gear too.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Diane



[This message has been edited by dl (edited 11-28-2001).]

you may not be able to completey slow down, especially if your work is fasted paced, but you can use the times your not at work to relax. Also, when you try and slow down, don't do something very fast paced, and then come to a screeching hault all of a sudden, allow yourself to slowly switch gears, this may help you, after all, your not a robot. I found that listening to the relaxtion tape to be very helpful in my quest for relaxing and taking the time out to take the time in to slow down a bit and get out of the hussle and bussle of the day.

Hey Diane! I recently worked in an environment where everyone ran at break-neck speed and found it was very contagious. Can you take the time to objectively evaluate the work flow? Are there things that can be done at certain times to make the work flow smoother? Can you consolidated duties to cut out any so-called "wasted" movements? Are there expectations that are being placed on you that are possibly unrealistic? The most important thing is that you take good care of yourself. Don't allow yourself to get caught up in the race. Can you listen to your relaxation tape during a break? Anything to slow yourself down! Maybe things will slow down once you learn all of the ins and outs of your job. Until then, though, monitor your stress level. No job is worth returning to high anxiety levels.

Good luck to you!


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Mountaingirl
come forth into the light of things ~ let nature be your teacher. William Wordsworth

I know most jobs are about getting things done. But, when he cost is our health then things need to be re-evaluated. Most of us could slow down without much loss to what we accomplish. There are more ways to do things than just one. I would reconsider why everyone is killing themselves over their job. Reena

Thanks mgoldberg!

I like your suggestions. When I am not working I stay in low gear. I know that's what is best for me. Then I am revived enough to tackle my job again. I do bring the relaxation tape w/ me. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever be able to live w/o that!lol! It really does help! I think I am changing gears slowly as I drive home w/ relaxing music. It's about a 20 min. drive which gives me enough time to clear my mind.

Thanks Mountaingirl!
The work flow is so fast due to the fact that they are short on employees. Yes, the management is putting unrealistic demands on us. We are all working, from what I have observed to be a 2 person job. I realize that I am still new.My manager is allowed only 65 hrs a week to maintain our dept. She works 40 and I am working between 25 and 40 b/c I am now being called in to work in other departments. I have had alot of practice opportunities for saying no. For instance, today was suppost to be my day off and I get called in for another dept. My manager is the one that has to ask me for the supervisor. We get into this discussion of how the whole company has to bend a little now and then. It turns out that the woman I was replacing had gone to her fathers funeral! Of course I couldn't say no to that. I told her under certain circumstances, I would fill in. However, I'm not a mind reader. She then told me just to bare in mind that I would not be asked if it wasn't a crisis. So, do I play the game or change my attitude as I need this job and really want to like it w/o the stress. My therapist says it's a great distraction from what I am dealing w/ regarding my husband. It definetly is a distraction. Hummmmm,no there are no wasted steps...I think I really have to accept that there is no perfect job and I will have to do my best balancing act on my breaks and days off. Hope all is well w/ you!

Thanks Reena!
Amen! This is the first time I have ever worked for such a large company. Seems to me that the attitude is that's just how life is!

Diane

Hey Diane! Sounds like you have quite a bit on your plate at your job. After reading your response to Reena, I just wanted to share one thing with you. At my last job, we were worked like dogs and when we complained or questioned how things were going, we were told that it was "just the nature of the business." Well -- I'm in the same line of work at my new job and the atmosphere is completely different. Yes, there will be times that will be incredibly hectic, but those times are spaced out and few and far between. At my other job, we continued to operate at full tilt -- everyday! So be careful if someone tries to convince you that your pace at work is "just how life is" or "its just the nature of the business." Sometimes its just "lack of proper management" or "lack of employees."

Keep us posted as to how it is going. It sure sounds like you are doing well and making sure that you are taking care of yourself. Take care!

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Mountaingirl
come forth into the light of things ~ let nature be your teacher. William Wordsworth

I've worked in situations like that before. Not a good place for us. Probably, not a good place anyone. It is that so many of us don't want to lose or change the job.

Anyway, this past year when I find myself in the racing type of atmosphere I internally talk with myself, "Pace youself Betsy. Be quiet and listen. Slow down and concentrate. ETC."

This really hepls. You might start the pace for others.

Studies have shown that employees who take a 5 minute break every hour produce more than those who race around. Eventually, everyone's minds gets overloaded. We all show it differently.

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)
Get out and walk...five minutes today, six minutes tomorrow...until you work your way up to 30-45 minutes and day and see how much better you feel in just a few weeks.

Hi all!

This seems to ALWAYS happen to me. I think I am at the end of my rope and everything turns out fine!

I got scheduled to work all day w/ my manager for the first time in the 2 months that I have been there! I thought, YES , I am going to see how she operates. You see it's ONLY her and I that run the whole department. Anyway, I learned so much from watching her and having her there to ask questions. Otherwise we only communicate by phone calls. Mountaingirl asked if there were any wasted movements. I had to really think about that because there were things that I thought, if only I could do it this way, it would sure speed things up. EVERYTHING I thought of my manager was doing!!! We both just laughed because we now know why I was taking so long! I do have a full plate and we are short on employees, but I know I can handle it better now.

Also, I reviewed the tape on expectations. That gave me some comfort too. Not only are they putting alot of high expectations on me, I put alot on them too.

Thanks for all of your support!
Diane


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"Life is the canvas, you are the artist, paint what you wish." -unknown

[This message has been edited by dl (edited 11-30-2001).]

Sometimes when I feel like I'm going too fast at work, when I can take a bathroom break, I take a few of those relaxation deep breaths like on the tape, and say a quick prayer, like"Lord please be with me. I need you to carry me through the rest of the day"

Hi Diane! I was just thinking about you and glad to see that things are going better. Glad to hear too that you are going back to various AA&D tapes as a support. I do that all of that time and it sure helps. Hopefully things will get better and better for you. Take care of yourself!

Pam

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Mountaingirl
come forth into the light of things ~ let nature be your teacher. William Wordsworth