u/ExplanationCold8070

I'm a flooring specialist. In my six months since I joined the department, I've never missed my weekly SPH. This week, I am. By a lot. Which is crazy because I was actually so busy helping customers one day that I never stopped moving. They were just smaller transactions. And yesterday our store manager gave flooring so much to do that I couldn't even focus on sales the last half of my shift. I probably wouldn't feel so stressed about not meeting SPH if my store manager didn't think that the flooring department isn't meeting expectations. Two other specialists in the store also aren't going to meet SPH this week if today doesn't change. It's been really slow.

Is anyone else struggling to meet their SPH this week? I feel so worried.

I'm 28 and I've worked in various retail establishments since I was 16. I have an associates degree, but I wasn't good at the job and it never worked out. I went back to school and took classes on and off for years, but I changed my degree so much that I'm at my credit limit for a bachelor's. Also, I have worked at a pretty prominent retail company for two years now. I was promoted to an upper level position on the sales floor and I enjoy it. However, I never imagined spending my future here.

In fact, I just started my last semester to get my bachelor's and, if I finish my classes, I'll graduate by December. However, I have no plans for this degree. I have no job set up either, and I've half-assed my classes this year. This is my last chance to earn my degree before my financial aid is pulled...but my heart isn't into it anymore. I just want to be done.

I started asking myself if it would be really so bad to just settle in my current company for the foreseeable future. I've felt so dissatisfied with my job lately because I've always seen retail as a dead end. I've always heard, "I can't imagine working at x for the rest of my life" and "you're replaceable in retail" and "x is a dead end job." But it's really not. And it's not the end of the world either if I just stay here. Lots of people have before me. But it feels shameful, for some reason. Like I'm giving up somehow. But it would be such a relief to not have to worry about college or finding a "better" job anymore.

I'm looking for advice, please. Excuse any errors in my writing, I've not been sleeping well.

Constantly, every day, my store manager asks us, "Have you got a credit app yet?" and "Have you gotten a lead today?" She was nicer when she was new a couple months back, but now corporate is pressuring her about credit cards and leads, so she micromanages everything now. She bears down on the ASMs, who in turn pressure the specialists. Store morale has dropped since she started on a tear a few weeks back. We're all feeling stressed.

I love my coworkers, I even like my ASMs and my supervisors. But the constant pressure from corporate is ridiculous. This isn't anything new, ofc. But it's such a shame when I think about how much I enjoy my job. It would just be better minus the demanding management.

Lately I've been trying to shut out the pressure; after all, I want to be happy to come to work. Life is more miserable otherwise. We are located in a very rural area, so I'll get a couple leads or a credit app week to week, but I will not kill myself for this place anymore.

I thought it would be easy to adapt to four ten-hour shifts a week—that my body would adjust. I was wrong. I feel tired constantly. I’ve started drinking energy drinks. I can’t think straight. I would rather work six shifts in a row again than do this. I thought the perks were worth it (extra day off, no more than three days in a row, etc.) but it’s not. I can’t change my schedule until August, so I’m stuck.

I should have known better. Don’t be stupid like me unless you know you can handle it.

Basically, the title. I get caught up in details or what other readers might be expecting and end up never writing the next chapter. The first chapter will be easy for me to write because I don’t plan ahead—I’m just writing whatever comes to mind, then editing and posting. Then I’ll start on the next chapter and start clamming up.

I get so frustrated with myself! I want to write the story! I think about it while I’m at work, and I know where I want it to go plot-wise, but when I sit down to actually write it I struggle immensely! I’ve never been good at planing things out. I really enjoy simply sitting down and just…writing. But after the first chapter, it’s like I can’t just “let go” and allow myself do that anymore.

Fellow writers, I need some serious advice. I love to write, but I feel that I make it harder for myself than it needs to be. I’ve been writing fan fiction for fifteen years and I still can’t figure it out. How do I relax about all this? How can I change my mindset?

I paid the initial down payment for water last December. I went in person. I had to change it from the previous owner's name to mine. The company (Mingo Co PSD) was switching to a new system at the time, but they assured me that everything was good to go on their end. I haven't had a water bill since. I check it at least three times a month, but there's still no charge. It's always $0.00 due for the month. I'm too scared to call the water company because I won't be able to afford any back pay if they ask for it. I don't have an account history according to the website, and I never get an actual water bill. I don't even know how much water I am using. I checked to see if the previous owner's name is still on the account, but it's not, so she's probably not getting charged either. I really don't know what's going on.

Customer asked for a roll of carpet padding. I was immediately on it. I said, yup it’s in the back in receiving. Just let me get someone that can work the forklift so we can bring it down. Customer seemed agreeable and happy! My coworker and I go to receiving right away to get it down from the shelf. Takes about 8 minutes. We roll it out on a flat blue cart. Boom. Customer is gone. I walk the whole store, can’t find them. Now I have a roll of carpet padding out that I can’t just stick on the shelf.

I wouldn’t complain if this didn’t happen. All. The. Damn. Time. Like, if I say I’m getting something for you, or I’m working on getting something for you—I promise, I’m not lying! I’m getting it for you! I want you to be happy with your experience and leave satisfied. I don’t know if this is a common problem everywhere, but it’s really tiring. It feels like I need someone to come and sit with the customer while we’re getting a thing just to make sure they know that we’re still doing our jobs.

Is this normal? I was approved for a $200 secured card on Saturday. I sent my $200 deposit immediately, but they sent it back the next day. Is it because it’s the weekend? Will the money come back out of my bank account on Monday? I’m confused and a little concerned. I’m worried about using the money.

New sales specialist here. When will my sales start counting towards my sales per hour etc? I’ve been told different things by different people, including other specialists. If a big sale doesn’t count for me, then I’m going to give it to a fellow specialist at the store for now. Also, they still have me cashiering for one or two days this week.