what a first day...

[chillout1571]

I have had two days of training, then today I was basically told to get on with it. I understand that attitude to a degree, however I found it very tough today. I tried my hardest, trying to concentrate on everything. Still made mistakes of course. At the end of the day I felt a little teary. Just from exhaustion and overwhelmed.

I'm going to stick it out, but I think throwing me in the deepened is a bit of a mistake on their part as it doesn't help me learn the round.


Any insprin and words?

Thanks,

Sarah

[wannabeek]

I know it's pretty cold comfort to you right now but your first few weeks at RM are likely to be the the most gruelling ones ever. I sometimes wonder if they intentionally make life had for new starters with the idea that if they're going to quit, make sure they quit early before you've wasted resources on them. Pretty crappy management in my opinion, but that does sum up RM to some extent!

If you possibly can, just stick with it and knuckle down for a couple of weeks, the job does get massively easier once you get the hang of it. Most of us were also chucked in at the deepest deep end once.

When I learnt my first round I made many notes about various things to help me remember things, just little reminders. Didn't use them much on delivery but it helped me get the street name sequences etc. locked in my brain, don't know if that might help for you?

*edit: PS the nastiest grumpiest old timers love the sight of a newbie struggling. They really get off on it and have a good chuckle. Do try very hard to make it look like you are not finding it as hard as you clearly are. They can be right sods some of them. I always used to have a good chill out and a drink at the end, make sure my face was no longer streaming with sweat before I returned to the office - they would have found that most hilarious.

[chillout1571]

Thank you, that really helps. It's a pretty steep learning curve, and as you end up in a pair, with barely any interaction with anyone else, it's quite isolating in a way .

The guy they've paired me with seems nice enough, just i can feel he's tapping his toes. I also got a few complaints of mail that has been delivered to the wrong house. I felt pretty crappy about that. However some of the roads over lap, just learning it I suppose.

I know it's pretty cold comfort to you right now but your first few weeks at RM are likely to be the the most gruelling ones ever. I sometimes wonder if they intentionally make life had for new starters with the idea that if they're going to quit, make sure they quit early before you've wasted resources on them. Pretty crappy management in my opinion, but that does sum up RM to some extent!

If you possibly can, just stick with it and knuckle down for a couple of weeks, the job does get massively easier once you get the hang of it. Most of us were also chucked in at the deepest deep end once.

*edit: PS the nastiest grumpiest old timers love the sight of a newbie struggling. They really get off on it and have a good chuckle. Do try very hard to make it look like you are not finding it as hard as you clearly are. They can be right sods some of them. I always used to have a good chill out and a drink at the end, make sure my face was no longer streaming with sweat before I returned to the office - they would have found that most hilarious.

[yellowbelly]

Sarah,

as wannabeek says if you've got through the crap day (even making mistakes) it only gets better.

Many quotes about mistakes but here's one:

Don’t be Afraid To Make Mistakes, Be Afraid Of Not Learning From Them

Just keep asking questions if you're not sure, if you're in a small office you might
get someone huffing that they told you this yesterday etc. but just try and let the comment
slide - I've had to ask some things more than once, and as you ask different
people you get a little bit of extra info each time.

Somehow the other day I ended up delivering a couple of roads in reverse order (not on my regular route I hasten to add but on part
of a route we are additionally covering) cue the comments about 'we'll need to get you a tracker' or 'you need tagging' - even
a little old lady leaning over her garden gate said 'You're new love aren't you - I 've seen you walk up and down this street three times!!'

We had to do the same route again today. I insisted I did the same part of the route
again today and I saw where I went wrong and it all fell into place.

Things will suddenly start clicking into place bit by bit and and you'll start getting into your own groove.

Tomorrows another day !!

YB

[POSTMAN]

Tell the rep of the office to come on here and explain why the new starters are not being coached/trained as per 'The agreement' in the office.

[yellowbelly]

Postman,

no-one (even the FT'ers I've been working with) seem to know who the rep in our DO is and what is 'The Agreement' you're referring to - is it
a formal document and if so do you have a link?

YB

[POSTMAN]

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=44371" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=17472" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[peshwaarinaan]

Sarah, stick with it. It gets easier I promise. I've just completed week 5 and I'm really enjoying it now. The first couple of weeks are daunting. The bloke I share a van with has been there for donkey's years and has had loads of digs at me. On my second day he said "I'd didn't think you'd be back today". How encouraging! He's been moaning about my speed but I've found that's coming as things click in to place and you get to know your route. In fact, twice today I beat him back to the van which was very satisfying!

I've made loads of mistakes too and on one occasion I posted a load of mail in the wrong house and it turned out it was this woman's birthday and she was waiting in for her cards . Needless to say there was no-one in the house where I'd posted them. I had to do some serious grovelling. Just stick with it and your confidence and speed will grow. I hadn't realised that there was so much to it than posting letters through letterboxes!!!

[super-postie]

After a tough first 3 months your feet and body will adjust to the new regime. You will feel normal again. You will be paid for keeping fit and can eat anything you want without putting weight on ! Good luck. Stick at it.

[grabbertom]

When you get to year 10 you will realise that you have made a terrible mistake and the opportunities promised for the future were a pack of lies. From a bitter and twisted postman.