Today started off a bit rough. I realized that I still had not replaced my DL after losing it on the trip to Chicago in June. Oops, I've been driving around with just my passport for ID. Then I realized my birthday was last month which means my tags expired. Oops. Please realize we have more police officers in this area than I've ever seen. Also, I am headed to SW Florida next week, were things are a real mess. I figured I had better correct those two oversights before I really came to regret it. (can you say jail. Yeah, this was cheaper than bail!)
So I headed out to the only DMV office I could find open. On my way I get a call from my plant in North Carolina. All my drop ships for my customer down in Port Charlotte have been modified. Now, instead of shipping to Port Charlotte everything is coming through Orlando. I spent all afternoon yesterday making sure that everything was set and that there would be no problems.
DAMN IT!! Why the change? Everything was set perfectly, can't they just leave well enough alone?????
That's when she tells me one of the warehouse workers in SW Florida died yesterday. Between the heat, all the trucks to be loaded/unloaded he just couldn't take it. He wasn't a normal warehouse worker and it really strained him.
I could only sit there in traffic with nothing to say. I felt so terrible. I immediately said a prayer for his family and friends. My friend in NC knows me well enough to know I was kicking my own ass over what I said and really tried to reassure me that it's alright to be human. Still.........
So everything is changed now. Tomorrow is Daytona and the East Coast. Saturday is training class and central down town Orlando. Sunday and Monday I'll actually have off. Then Naples/Ft Meyers on Tuesday.
But I can't stop thinking of that person that died yesterday, and me throwing a fit because my plans changed. I fully realize I didn't know the whole situation when I spouted off, but let's be honest for a moment. How many times do we react before we know the details? How many times do we react based on how it effects US?
Note to self, I think that's my next self improvement project. Hold reactions back until you know the facts/details. It's easier on everyone involved.
Posted by Tammi at August 19, 2004 08:20 PM | TrackBackPoor guy! That's a double whammy for his family and friends. :(
I would have felt bad as well, but let's face it; it's human nature to be focused on what we're doing and not want it messed with. I bet even Mother Teresa got ticked off every now and then. ;)
Be careful when you do head down there!
Posted by: pam at August 19, 2004 08:46 PMYou can't beat yourself up about a thought. Its a normal reaction to get upset over a drastic change in plans and scheduling. Just like its an equally normal reaction to feel badly about being upset when the reason why is known.
Had you known in advance, non-issue. Caught off guard, it happens. You grow and you adapt. Bottom line, you're a human being.
Posted by: Lee Ann at August 19, 2004 08:53 PMGive yourself a break, T. The fact that you felt badly after learning of the tragedy shows that you have the right stuff. Who among us has not lost his or her temper without considering all possible factors that, in retrospect, might cause us to wish we hadn't.
Posted by: Jim at August 19, 2004 09:11 PMUmmm - think of it this way. They were changing all of your hard work - DRASTICALLY. So in leading off the conversation she should have said... Tammi I have some really bad news, one of our warehouse workers died in SW FL and we're going to have to rearrange everything.
That way you know the whys and wherefores and you don't feel like they just jerked the rug out from under you for the hell of it. So, you see, your reaction was perfectly normal. The situation should've been better explained, but it's not everyday that people deal with a sudden death.
Don't beat yourself up over a completely normal reaction. She probably is beating herself up over not telling you to begin with. It's over, it's non-productive, and when under stress you're likely to react the same way again. Nothing wrong with that. So, deep breath, and just concentrate on getting everything done as well as possible (which I know you'll do!!!)
Posted by: Teresa at August 19, 2004 11:15 PMYa'll are right. I'm just so damn tired right now and everything seems to running a bit raw.
I should have probably waiting until the morning before hitting the "post" on this, but since I did I'll follow the golden rule, it's up it stays.
Plus, your right. I don't usually have someone tell me everything changed because someone died. It wasn't even on my radar during that part of the conversation.
Posted by: Tammi at August 19, 2004 11:24 PM