Bad first day on my own

Lawrencepa2014 · Post by **Lawrencepa2014** » 24 Apr 2019, 16:31

First of all I just want to point out I love this job and want to make the most out of it. I hate though making mistakes/being too slow. And I think I was definitely doing both today. Parcels I made a couple of mistakes I realised soon after and I was about an hour and half late back to the office plus an extra half an hour for a punctured tyre. My partner today was really reassuring and said i wasn’t bad for a new starter. But it feels like so much time to be late. I know I’m not the physically fittest so I wonder if I need to walk quicker and there was a lot of steps on this route. Some routes I done quickly but the steppy ones I was about 10 minutes or so late which built up after a while. I also feel a bit stupid because i accidentally brought my PDA home today as it was in my pocket and as we were the last to leave I didn’t take it back. So will have to bring back tomorrow and hopefully it’s not a big deal.

Overall I feel kinda useless but if anyone’s got any reassurance or similar stories I’d appreciate it

misstmac · Post by **misstmac** » 24 Apr 2019, 16:43

Was regularly an hour or so over in my first week! DO NOT stress about it!! Think about it logically. For every delivery you make you have to think - which way does the gate open - where’s the letterbox - is there a dog - what house number is this etc etc! If you’re kept on the same route you’ll find at the end of about two weeks you’ll notice a difference in your speed and realise things become a bit more automatic.

I’m 6 weeks in and have realised that you can’t stress yourself out of things like this. Do your job the way you should, cut off if you want to finish on time or book the overtime if you go over. Speed takes time.

Macy85 · Post by **Macy85** » 24 Apr 2019, 16:55

Don’t worry about it - my first couple of weeks on my own, I was getting back at about 4.30pm. It was really depressing trudging round my last loop knowing that everyone else had long since got back to the DO and went home. I also had a couple of shocking days where I forgot parcels and had to go back for them. Now though, I’m still not the first back, but I’m far from the last and I’ve knocked a good 90 minutes off the time it takes to do my round.
As you get to know the round and how things work, you will get quicker. It’s all a learning curve and if you’ve got supportive colleagues/workplace coach then that makes all the difference. I’ve been really lucky in having people like that and good managers. Keep going and don’t get too downhearted - so long as you stick in, it will get better.

Post by **fb1969** » 24 Apr 2019, 16:57

As above, don't stress about the time it takes - especially if your partner seems to be ok about it. It is far more important to do the job correctly than rush about. "Speed" will come with time and getting to know a route and the delivery points, even down to knowing which side a gate latch is, which way a letterbox hinges etc etc.

I had to take a pda home "officially" once and was told by a manager to take the battery out. That will kill the gps and preserve the battery for tomorrow, but either way you'll probably need to pop another battery in it tomorrow. There should be plenty of spare ones plugged in to the pda charger racks. They are easy enough to change, removing the strap clip is the hardest part!

Caesar · Post by **Caesar** » 24 Apr 2019, 17:20

I had a few bad first days lol. Like everybody is saying, it does get easier.
You start to work out your own system. Some of the things that occupy your thoughts become second nature. This free's up your mind and you start remembering other things that make the job easier.

leolion855 · Post by **leolion855** » 24 Apr 2019, 17:57

dont worry even the experienced posties go over from time to time, just focus on doing the job correctly. To make it a little quicker are you writing your p739s out after your first knock? if they come to to the door the worst you have to do is dispose of it.

Kirstymoo · Post by **Kirstymoo** » 27 Apr 2019, 17:28

I'm the same,into my 3rd week this week and feel like crap feel like I've had a really rubbish week were nothings gone right,I'm on the longest walking round at the office and feel very pressured to finish on time,like you I hate knowing I'm still trudging on when everyone else has been finished for ages.I really want to make the most of this job as its something I've wanted for so long but this week has made me question if it's right for me.Maybe it's normal for all newbies to feel this way a few weeks in,I don't have a coach feel like I'm winging it most days been chucked in to sink or swim.

LittleEmm · Post by **LittleEmm** » 27 Apr 2019, 20:33

Been in the job since the end of Feb, fair to say I’m at still learning every day and am far from “super postie” haha. I totally get where you are coming from and seriously don’t stress, I made some monumental cockups in my foray few weeks and had a whole week where everything I did or touched seemed to go wrong and I felt so slow and useless and doubted myself and why I was even trying. HOWEVER now I’m getting in the swing of things and really enjoying the job and am slowly getting quicker (I’m never gonna be like some of the whippets I work with I’m to old and over weight) but I can get round now at a respectable time and do my job to a good standard. It’s hard to believe but you will get quicker and you will get more confidence at what you are doing just stick with it and expect to make mistakes no one is perfect and don’t try to kill your self keeping up with everyone else! Good luck Hun and keep your chin up!!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 29 Apr 2019, 11:48

Kirstymoo wrote:I'm the same,into my 3rd week this week and feel like crap feel like I've had a really rubbish week were nothings gone right,I'm on the longest walking round at the office and feel very pressured to finish on time,like you I hate knowing I'm still trudging on when everyone else has been finished for ages.I really want to make the most of this job as its something I've wanted for so long but this week has made me question if it's right for me.Maybe it's normal for all newbies to feel this way a few weeks in,I don't have a coach feel like I'm winging it most days been chucked in to sink or swim.

You have hit the proverbial wall, it happens to us all.

Get through the next few weeks and I promise it will start to seem a lot better.

Every postie I know who started since I did has gone through this, just hang on in there.

Kirstymoo · Post by **Kirstymoo** » 29 Apr 2019, 14:18

I'm on my couple of days off now so hopefully can recharge and go back with a clear head and renewed energy to get over that bloody wall lol.

norris9 · Post by **norris9** » 07 May 2019, 16:25

I guess it depends who you get put with, if they are patient and helpful - then great. If not, then you feel pressured to be quick and end up frustrated. Also depends on which round they put you on. I have only been on one awful walk, which was hilly as hell. Glad I have only seen it once so far. If I'd been on that everyday since day 1 - then I'd have ran a mile.

For me, as a newbie of 1 month, it has for the most part been ok. The Posties I have been put with are helpful, though it's clear they are all about speed and they do get frustrated with things...for the most part they are ok. I won't take any moaning from other Posties who are frustrated by my pace...I already ranted at one Postie who criticised my speed on the first loop of a new walk. The Postie I had today was getting a little frustrated with a few minor cock-ups I kept doing, but in reality it cost us like 2 minutes.... yet a lot of these Posties need endless pee breaks....they'll get impatient and frustrated about an error which costs us a few mins, but then they'll slow you down by stopping off every few hours for a piss while you wait for them.

1. Organisation. Have your pen, dockets, PDA etc in the best pockets where they are easy to access. I remember during training I was always struggling to find my pen, or struggling to get my PDA out my zipped up coat pocket. Now I have Royal Mail trousers I am whipping my pen and PDA out in an instant.

2. Shortcuts. Up to you if you take shortcuts. I was trained properly, then put with Posties that then show you "how things are actually done"....and yes....a lot of shortcuts, going across people's lawns, leaving parcels in so called safe places.

3. You will need max 3 or 4 days on the same walk to get to know it. After day 3 or 4 on the same walk - the speed difference should be significant. You start remembering numbers of houses shortly after this too...then you don't even need to check.

Scama_bug · Post by **Scama_bug** » 07 May 2019, 22:21

norris9 wrote:I guess it depends who you get put with, if they are patient and helpful - then great. If not, then you feel pressured to be quick and end up frustrated. Also depends on which round they put you on. I have only been on one awful walk, which was hilly as hell. Glad I have only seen it once so far. If I'd been on that everyday since day 1 - then I'd have ran a mile.

For me, as a newbie of 1 month, it has for the most part been ok. The Posties I have been put with are helpful, though it's clear they are all about speed and they do get frustrated with things...for the most part they are ok. I won't take any moaning from other Posties who are frustrated by my pace...I already ranted at one Postie who criticised my speed on the first loop of a new walk. The Postie I had today was getting a little frustrated with a few minor cock-ups I kept doing, but in reality it cost us like 2 minutes.... yet a lot of these Posties need endless pee breaks....they'll get impatient and frustrated about an error which costs us a few mins, but then they'll slow you down by stopping off every few hours for a piss while you wait for them.

1. Organisation. Have your pen, dockets, PDA etc in the best pockets where they are easy to access. I remember during training I was always struggling to find my pen, or struggling to get my PDA out my zipped up coat pocket. Now I have Royal Mail trousers I am whipping my pen and PDA out in an instant.

2. Shortcuts. Up to you if you take shortcuts. I was trained properly, then put with Posties that then show you "how things are actually done"....and yes....a lot of shortcuts, going across people's lawns, leaving parcels in so called safe places.

3. You will need max 3 or 4 days on the same walk to get to know it. After day 3 or 4 on the same walk - the speed difference should be significant. You start remembering numbers of houses shortly after this too...then you don't even need to check.

We might be working at the same DO

I've been working for a month as well and I can relate to everything you've posted on this forum