Stuck on repeat
I am so sick and tired and of saying the same things over and over.
It is mostly reminding people of things they can’t do, should do, or I told them to do, and they didn’t do (and now the shit’s hit the fan, go figure).
Why is this information not sinking in?
Really, on Monday, I had a discussion with someone reminding them about a certain protocol (that we had already discussed in January and December).
They broke protocol on Tuesday.
So I remind them again.
And again.
And again…
I just get so infuriated!
Does this happen to anyone else, or is it just me? Do you ever feel like you are stuck on repeat?
I am wondering if I am not clear enough, or if people just… don’t listen. Or, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt – maybe they are just really forgetful.
Either way, it’s such a waste of time for me to be constantly repeating things.
Sorry to be so vague!
Themocracy
I’m with you! It’s kind of like the issues that I’m having with a few of my students. Some days it’s like de ja vu, because I’m telling the same people the same thing every single day!
Paige, I don’t know how you teachers do it! I am not sure if I could ever be that patient! Did you feel better after your Wed. run?
Some days I feel that way! Its worse when i have to remind someone in the same day about something!
I have three kids, enough said 🙂
I feel like this all the time. I will let my kids slide because they are kids and that is my job, to repeat myself enough that being a good person just kind of sinks in to who they are, but when it is an adult it is super frustrating!
When people do this to me I feel hurt, like what I said wasn’t important enough to them to actually make the effort to do more than once. That doesn’t make sense but I think you probably know what I mean.
I know EXACTLY what you mean. It makes me wonder if they were just spacing off or not taking me seriously when I talked to them about it the first time. It’s insulting!
Um, I am always stuck on repeat. But it’s with my children …
That is my WHOLE job! Lately I have been so bored (still busy, very very busy) and it is making it even worse. So many politics at my job and I feel like I never actually do MY job and UGH! Wow- vent session much?? It’s tough because I cannot really be open on my own blog (co-workers read it, I am sure of it) but I love that I can talk here. Your blog is such a great open forum for people!
Thank you. I am in the same position (re: politics), so I wish I could get into more details… but it sounds like you understand completely!
I think people ignore protocol or policies or laws because the punishment for doing so isn’t harsh enough. Why do people speed down the highway? Because the likelihood they actually get pulled over is small. And even if they do, they understand they’ll get a fine. Big deal. It’s a slap on the wrist and worth taking the risk. So, I ask you, what happens to people when they don’t follow protocol? Nothing? Yeah, it sucks they can’t be respectful of rules, but that’s why – there are no repercussions.
In this case, if they can’t start following protocol, they might find themselves with less work from us…
I’m so with you on this one. Some people simply don’t listen. Or they don’t start until I’m screaming, which I hate. Frustrating to say the least!
HHAHAHAH – this totally made me crack up! I’m a high school teacher. I’ve heard “What page?” so many times over the last ten years! At this point, I ALWAYS write down the page so the kids can see it. Of course, they still ask… 🙂
YES! And honestly I think it’s a matter of people not really giving a shit which results in them not listening because they just don’t care. I hate it! I hate having to remind people of stuff and in the same turn I hate being reminded of stuff. “I’m not like you, I don’t forget!” Is what I want to yell at them. LOL
Some people you really do have to repeat things for many times. There’s a lot of people like that in the world!
Ugh! That is the worst! Is this something you can put in writing so all you have to do is hit FWD when a reminder is needed?
Jeez, get off my butt already, I won’t do it again! (unless I forget again, what were we talking about?)
Ha! If this was about a family member that I could actually talk to, it wouldn’t be such a big deal! 🙂
I think many peopel don’t listen. There should be a reward/punishment for certain types of behavior but I know that is easier said than done.
People just don’t listen! I am permanently stuck on repeat with Ali and Maya but I realize they just don’t care about certain things and it will never change. It is so frustrating but I don’t know how else to deal with it than to accept it!
I feel your pain… it’s a little offensive sometimes because people tend to remember things when they want to! But what can you do?? :/
<3 <3
huh… that sounds like my boss. He asks me something like… did you finish the PSV calcs and I say yes they are in blah folder… an hour later he comes by and says.. when do you think you will be done with the calcs.. and I say.. it is done in the blah floder… then the next morning he comes by and says.. I am still waiting for the cals… and that point I just want to hit him in the head and say listen to me carefully I finished them x days ago… ugh!
It’s not quite the same but I am stuck on repeat with my kids. Everyday, same thing. Hang up your towel, put your dishes in the sink, go brush your teeth, don’t argue, lights out at 9pm, etc etc. It is exhausting. I can remember my parents doing the same thing, but I am a broken record. I have found that when I fine them for things, money talks and I don’t have to keep repeating myself as much, and if I do at least I am getting paid.
Oh god, it’s the worst at work especially when you depend on the thing you’re waiting for.
Our pharmacy is a MESS and in order to get anything you want correctly, you have to call at least three times. Usually more. I waste more time on the phone with them than I do anything else…drives me up a wall!!
I have some residents at work that I say the same things to time and time again. They’re so sweet to my face and say ‘okay’ but turn around and do what they aren’t supposed to. I’m just doing it for their safety!!
That is kind of what is going on in this case… why why why would people do that? It is so hard to do what you are supposed to?!
We just had a meeting about that today! In fact, I told them I was going to write the process down, break it down step by step, and if they broke one step they had to start from the beginning. Why? Because you are an adult who knows that in order to get things done you need to follow the correct process to do it. Plus I am not your mother and I don’t have unlimited time to devote on constantly reminding you how to do things properly. Of course, they will still do it wrong at least for awhile—but starting from the beginning is a pain so hopefully after about 3 times they will get it!
I once had a breakdown in my boss’s office at a previous job because the person I was training just did.not.get.it. It didn’t seem to matter how I told them, they just kept doing it wrong. I think a lot of it has to do with the person either A. not really listening, B. not caring, or C. not really understanding WHY they have to do it a certain way.
Yes, this happens to me at work numerous times and it is very frustrating!
Usually I start to speak very slowly and patronizingly. LOL. They start paying attention then!
Ya… I don’t think the work world is made for people like us. Ha. I don’t know if people are mentally lazy or what, but I’m constantly baffled by forgetfulness. I’m not this way at all, and I think I hold people to the standards I have for myself. I expect a lot. Unfortunately, this means I complain to my husband about work A LOT.
Sigh… welcome to my world.
lol. time to write it down in big bold letters and numbers and post it up where this person can see it 🙂
Every day of my life. I think it’s somewhere in my job responsibilities that I repeat myself at least 10 times a day!
oh i would have a haaaaard time not getting insulting/condescending with that coworker. after s/he broke protocol the DAY AFTER you had a talk!? i don’t think i’d be able to stop myself from pretending to be “concerned” and asking if i hadn’t explained myself well the day before, while basically implying that they’re an idiot.
Yes! I work in academia, and I constantly have to reiterate, even when it’s been in writing over and over and over again. In my case, the people I work and deal with (in most cases, not all) feel that they’re above the protocol, above the policy, should receive special consideration, etc. I don’t change for them, and I instill consequences. What is more maddening than all of that is that it won’t ever stop.
And I probably don’t have to ask, but this must happen across all levels of academia… the entire K-12 + college and beyond system. Some people just always think they are above the rules. I remember I had a coworker like this at my old job. There were standard ways of doing things and she just refused to follow them.
Thanks for commenting, I love meeting new bloggers!
I’m pretty sure it’s that people hear what you’re saying, but prefer to do what they want. That’s how it works in my house. 🙂
I feel like that ALL THE TIME!!
It was even worse when I worked at the bank and there were so many rules. They were put in place for a reason people!
Of course, my way of getting people to remember things was by scaring the crap out of them. It worked, but its probably why I wasnt allowed to train anymore.
But hey, if you wanna do something stupid like walk away from a big stack of cash, why wouldnt I hide it?
This has been happening a little too much in my life lately…
I am a school teacher-this is my life!
I deal with this a lot at work, but its tough to navigate because of office politics.
Thanks for your comment and suggestions on my blog! I had lurked on yours before; wanted to mention I went to ISU for a year (it was not idea for me–I transferred to a school out East) and grew up in SE Iowa. Again, thanks for the comment and suggestions!
Hi Erin! What did you end up majoring in after you transferred? I am happy with the education I got at ISU, but it was hard being there for FIVE WHOLE YEARS! 🙂
With three kids (two of them teenagers) – I absolutely get it!
I hate that! It’s just like how I have to repeat my work schedule to a certain someone over and over and over again! Then that person makes plans one a day I don’t have work and I’m just sitting there like…. really?
Ridiculous 🙁 I hope whatever it is gets better! Write the stuff on a post-it and stick it on the person’s head! 🙂 Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do that?