Anxiety and retail?

Countrymusicgirl
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

So its been official that I've been diagnosed with generalised anxiety. All my work mates know what's going on, not going to lie about that. My new boss knows I told him what's going on and the warning signs and he is willing to change things around for me.

But that month of anxiety has turned into generalised anxiety. Its effecting me at work right now, I can't talk to customers without feeling anxious. Being in retail there is commission so I feel anxious not making it. And I give up. The numbers aren't even that high to get.

My question is how can I work in retail with anxiety. Is there a possible way of any techniques that will manage my anxiety while talking to customers?

3 Replies 3

white knight
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi cmg, welcome

There are some basics. Discipline yourself to beath deeply regularly. As often as you can. Innstead of being silent and thinking about your next customer, think about your pet or your hobby, what you will cook for dinner. Mind diversion.

Consider a change of job.

After hours fill your life with spontaneous actions like hot air balloon ride, beach walk, camping just overnight. These things youll reflect on while you work.

Accept that to be successful at work you need to be consistant, natural and calm. Aim for that.

But sometimes our job isnt ideal for us and we need to plan to move on

Tony WK

MyProfile
Community Member

Hi CMG,

I'm sorry to hear about your anxiety. I hope that your diagnosis leads to you receiving support from a professional and from those around you.

It sounds reassuring that your boss knows of your condition and is willing to change things around to help. Have you made any requests for how you can be accommodated?

You must be feeling somewhat pressured if you work on commission. Is that in addition to an hourly rate? If it is, I could maybe recommend being kinder and easier on yourself, even be lighthearted about the commission making side of work. Don't pressure yourself to meet unfair standards, but certainly challenge yourself a little. Maybe if you miss a sale, laugh it off and say big deal, there will always be more customers.

If your income is purely commission, I'm sorry that you are under that pressure. I really wouldn't know what to say to help.

On top of what WK suggested about deep breathing and taking care of yourself, I would recommend mindfulness. Practice it as much as you can and try to do it at work. Don't think internally at work, don't be mindful of yourself so to speak, but instead be mindful of the "non-threatening" things around you at work (objects, sounds), maybe not people if they cause you anxiety.

I hope you learn to cope better, or find something less stressful (it's ok if you can't cope there, it doesn't mean you're a failure).

My boss says its up to me on what I want to do, they love me their because as I dont get commission I help out in other ways.

I'm still on an hourly rate plus the commission, so really its just a busy. I dont have any problems making my dollar value its getting the extra warranties I screw up with.

The other positions I would be looking at is warehouse/admin. Which I know both.

The deep breathing doesnt help for me on some occasions because I'm a vision person seeing something move in front of me calms me down.