Anxiety and first job

[Poppy_recreation]

I have been needing/wanting to get a job for a few years now. I wanted to start looking for a job when I was 16 but my fears and panicking held me back and I put it off. Finally, this year I began the process of looking for a job. I got hired by a grocery store and today was like my first day of training. They took me back to work on a computer and do different questionnaires regarding the job. I got stuck and had to redo a lot. I cried like three times during this experience (I was in the room with two other people, so I used my hand to hide my crying).
I didn't finish all my work and have to go back tomorrow and honestly it is weighing so hard on my mind. I could hardly exercise, which is usually a major anxiety reliever for me because it is all I can think about. I felt horrible because I couldn't finish all my work today and just feel down and am dreading going back tomorrow. Any advice?

 

[janemariesayed]

I have been needing/wanting to get a job for a few years now. I wanted to start looking for a job when I was 16 but my fears and panicking held me back and I put it off. Finally, this year I began the process of looking for a job. I got hired by a grocery store and today was like my first day of training. They took me back to work on a computer and do different questionnaires regarding the job. I got stuck and had to redo a lot. I cried like three times during this experience (I was in the room with two other people, so I used my hand to hide my crying).
I didn't finish all my work and have to go back tomorrow and honestly it is weighing so hard on my mind. I could hardly exercise, which is usually a major anxiety reliever for me because it is all I can think about. I felt horrible because I couldn't finish all my work today and just feel down and am dreading going back tomorrow. Any advice?

Many, many people are in this predicament. The first day at an establishment is always the most daunting for fear of making mistakes. The thing to do is not to worry about it. It isn't the end of the world because you made a mistake. In any case, mistakes are rectifiable. It was only your first day so don't beat yourself up. Don't make yourself feel bad about it. Just go in the next day and carry on with your work. Try to get engrossed in it and you will find it easier. Put it out of your mind. It was only your first day. People make mistakes at work when they have been working at a place for years. Mistakes happen. Especially to noobies, so don't worry, smile and just say you learned something.

 

[Kaynil]

Hey, it's alright. Usually, employers expect people to make mistakes and stuff because it is your first day and are trying to adapt to a new routine, devices, etc. The important thing is that you show them you want to learn.

You can't compare yourself to the people who have been in the place for a while and have built skill to deal with everything in there. Just take it easy. As hard as it feels, get ready and go again the next day. And again the day after. And so on. Accept that you are starting and are prone to make mistakes, and it is fine, making mistakes and asking lots of questions is how we learn. You got people next to you, ask them.

If you can joke around, you can try seeing the funny side of your mistakes. You might feel all eyes are on you. It might sound counter-intuitive but it helped me feel better to point it out before someone else did. Just a bit of self-deprecating humour. Most of the time it is us who feel like it is a big deal and people just shrug it off. But if we keep tense because we're thinking about it then we are more likely to make more. Something that works for me is to tell to myself in my head "the moment has passed" over and over, and I remind myself to focus in the present and repeat to me the solution on move forward.

The less you dwell in the mistake and how you think you looked and what others think of you, the easier it becomes to leave it behind. Just think all those thoughts are just thoughts "what ifs" what is really happening is outside your head. Focus on your breathing. Look ahead of you. Tackle the problem and let the rest of the day roll in.

I work in a small restaurant and I've seen even our Chef makes mistakes. Everyone does them, what matters is how you deal with them. Right now you're learning so do your best to get the hang of it.

 

[Peanutbuttercup]

Everybody goes through the first week jitters and mistakes. Everybody. If you stick with it After a month you will look back and laugh. Just remember to pay it forward...when the next new person starts remember to encourage them and be nice to them. Good luck.

If you think about it, put up another post here and let us know how it goes.

 

[Poppy_recreation]

Many, many people are in this predicament. The first day at an establishment is always the most daunting for fear of making mistakes. The thing to do is not to worry about it. It isn't the end of the world because you made a mistake. In any case, mistakes are rectifiable. It was only your first day so don't beat yourself up. Don't make yourself feel bad about it. Just go in the next day and carry on with your work. Try to get engrossed in it and you will find it easier. Put it out of your mind. It was only your first day. People make mistakes at work when they have been working at a place for years. Mistakes happen. Especially to noobies, so don't worry, smile and just say you learned something.

Hey, it's alright. Usually, employers expect people to make mistakes and stuff because it is your first day and are trying to adapt to a new routine, devices, etc. The important thing is that you show them you want to learn.

You can't compare yourself to the people who have been in the place for a while and have built skill to deal with everything in there. Just take it easy. As hard as it feels, get ready and go again the next day. And again the day after. And so on. Accept that you are starting and are prone to make mistakes, and it is fine, making mistakes and asking lots of questions is how we learn. You got people next to you, ask them.

If you can joke around, you can try seeing the funny side of your mistakes. You might feel all eyes are on you. It might sound counter-intuitive but it helped me feel better to point it out before someone else did. Just a bit of self-deprecating humour. Most of the time it is us who feel like it is a big deal and people just shrug it off. But if we keep tense because we're thinking about it then we are more likely to make more. Something that works for me is to tell to myself in my head "the moment has passed" over and over, and I remind myself to focus in the present and repeat to me the solution on move forward.

The less you dwell in the mistake and how you think you looked and what others think of you, the easier it becomes to leave it behind. Just think all those thoughts are just thoughts "what ifs" what is really happening is outside your head. Focus on your breathing. Look ahead of you. Tackle the problem and let the rest of the day roll in.

I work in a small restaurant and I've seen even our Chef makes mistakes. Everyone does them, what matters is how you deal with them. Right now you're learning so do your best to get the hang of it.

Everybody goes through the first week jitters and mistakes. Everybody. If you stick with it After a month you will look back and laugh. Just remember to pay it forward...when the next new person starts remember to encourage them and be nice to them. Good luck.

If you think about it, put up another post here and let us know how it goes.

Came on and saw you guy's responses. I want to say thank you all for your replies they were very helpful.
I just came back from completing my training. I got out a lot earlier and only had a little bit left. I will be calling a manager tomorrow for my schedule next week. Thank you guys all again so so much, I could hardly sleep last night and kept crying, so seeing this was so nice!

 

[janemariesayed]

Came on and saw you guy's responses. I want to say thank you all for your replies they were very helpful.
I just came back from completing my training. I got out a lot earlier and only had a little bit left. I will be calling a manager tomorrow for my schedule next week. Thank you guys all again so so much, I could hardly sleep last night and kept crying, so seeing this was so nice!

You're very welcome Poppy.

 

[Alastair]

I have been needing/wanting to get a job for a few years now. I wanted to start looking for a job when I was 16 but my fears and panicking held me back and I put it off. Finally, this year I began the process of looking for a job. I got hired by a grocery store and today was like my first day of training. They took me back to work on a computer and do different questionnaires regarding the job. I got stuck and had to redo a lot. I cried like three times during this experience (I was in the room with two other people, so I used my hand to hide my crying).
I didn't finish all my work and have to go back tomorrow and honestly it is weighing so hard on my mind. I could hardly exercise, which is usually a major anxiety reliever for me because it is all I can think about. I felt horrible because I couldn't finish all my work today and just feel down and am dreading going back tomorrow. Any advice?

That sounds terrible ! hope your feeling better . I often think about leaving jobs but the thought of an interview terrifies me! some days i think, yeh! i can't do an interview no worries but then think oh wait what if you have a panic attack.. I work In IT and the role I do means i can sit alone and just deal with puzzles.
Hope you find the courage to escape the anxiety bubble

A

 

[Allenafaith]

I can tell you from being a manager where I work, we don’t judge you if you make mistakes on your first day. You have to learn somehow! Most of the time, the other employees and managers are there to help you! When I started my job, I was 16, I was so scared, always had panic attacks before work, and most of the time I didn’t want to go. Two years down the line, in 18 and a manager there! It’ll work out in the end. Don’t best yourself up!