Perfection

[PenforPrez]

At my hotel job, they demand things pretty well perfect. Problem with that is, perfect is just not something I'm capable of. I've never been able to do consistently high-quality work; there's always sloppiness somewhere. I've never understood why, it just always happens.

Today at work, I had one room where I forgot a lot of things. My hyperactive mind is usually on 50 million things at once, and I don't always remember to write things down. But the stuff in that room was found in an inspection.

Now, I'm thin-skinned and I don't take criticism well. I don't know if it was the tone my co-worker was using or what, but when she told me that, I felt angry and wanted to just lash out. I just wanted to say, "What do you people want from me??"

Fortunately, this was the moment when the things I've learned in therapy kicked in, and I checked myself before I said it. I realized it would have been rather counter-productive for me to say that.

It just worries me that I got to that point. I feel like my anger is well in check, and I feel like I can keep it that way. I just find myself really chaffing at the monotony of the work, and it's bugging me. I wanted to avoid my career issues long enough to get settled at this job and get some other issues sorted out. But that nagging voice just won't go away. :sad:

There's really no question here. I just wanted to throw this out and see what you guys thought. :)

Paul

[GoogleGirl]

It sounds like you're doing well Paul. Have no doubts about that, since you mentioned how you applied some things you learned in therapy. You'll probably get those issues with any job. As a prospective and student teacher, I am always terrified of not being perfect or not handling things well, but I just take a deep breathe some times (and my bf and mom tell me this as well) and just let things go. I wouldn't worry so much as long as you manage to keep your anger in check. :)

[WorkInProgress]

It sounds like you're doing well Paul. Have no doubts about that, since you mentioned how you applied some things you learned in therapy. You'll probably get those issues with any job...I wouldn't worry so much as long as you manage to keep your anger in check. :)

Agreed.

And, if you find that you're slipping up more than you used to, perhaps consider creating a checklist for yourself, so you don't forget things.

[meatwad]

At my hotel job, they demand things pretty well perfect.

That's because you work in hospitality. For the most part, anything short of perfection isn't going to be good enough.

[wordsmith]

Geez, I work for a newspaper, and they're pretty spazzy about perfection in that format, too...although I resigned myself a long while ago to the fact that it ain't happening. We don't have a team of proofreaders, and without that, stuff's GONNA slip through. Just how it goes. I've had to get way more relaxed and WAY more thick-skinned when it comes to criticism, because in this industry, you'll get it whether you deserve it or not, because knocking the press (even the small town press, yes) is the national pasttime.

But I will say, in terms of not letting stuff fall through the cracks procedurally, checklists are ESSENTIAL for me, or things WILL get overlooked. I have a lot to juggle, and multitasking is just not a strong suit. So I MUST have lists.

[wordsmith]

That's because you work in hospitality. For the most part, anything short of perfection isn't going to be good enough.

And, like in my industry, perfection won't be good enough, either. You work in a field that people just LIKE to complain about, because they feel entitled to.

[PenforPrez]

That's because you work in hospitality. For the most part, anything short of perfection isn't going to be good enough.

Yeah, but they want me to live my life in fear of QA (quality assurance). As far as I'm concerned, if I'm doing my job correctly, they'll notice. If not, I'll get my ass chewed out and I'll figure out another way. I'm afraid of too many things as is; I don't want to worry about some nit-picky corporate goon looking for ONE hair on the floor. :googly:

Paul

[Empressallie]

I think most jobs demand perfection. I have been dealing with this a lot lately and its making me miserable. It's just not realistic to expect perfection all the time!

Try and let it not get you down too!

[WorkInProgress]

Yeah, but they want me to live my life in fear of QA (quality assurance). As far as I'm concerned, if I'm doing my job correctly, they'll notice. If not, I'll get my ass chewed out and I'll figure out another way. I'm afraid of too many things as is; I don't want to worry about some nit-picky corporate goon looking for ONE hair on the floor. :googly:

Paul

Is it possible that you're getting a teensy bit sloppy because you're passive-aggressive about this?

I agree that you shouldn't live in fear of QA. But doing your best at your job (or your best given your time contraints) doesn't necessarily mean that it's your motivation.

EDIT: The reason I ask is because I have a tendency to do this sometimes, and I've observed in other people as well.

[wordsmith]

Totally. I've gotten to the point where I don't stress about details as much as I used to, because I feel like mistakes will happen anyway, and I'm not paid or appreciated enough to really have my heart break over it. It's not how I typically am, but that's just how it goes when you feel overworked and underpaid. In short, I'm of the attitude a lot of time that nobody makes it worth my while to NOT be a teensy bit sloppy.

[CTGirl]

Is it possible that you're getting a teensy bit sloppy because you're passive-aggressive about this?

I agree that you shouldn't live in fear of QA. But doing your best at your job (or your best given your time contraints) doesn't necessarily mean that it's your motivation.

EDIT: The reason I ask is because I have a tendency to do this sometimes, and I've observed in other people as well.

I agree with this. I am a perfectionist most of the time, but when I'm in a situation where I dont like what I'm doing, or I'm bitter about it for some reason, I find that perfectionism disappears, and I will get annoyed about little things that happen on the job.

Given what I know about you and your current situation, I'd say that this stuff is just the result of you being unsatisfied by your current situation, and wouldnt worry about it too much, but focus on imporving things for yourself and making yourslef happier so that these types of things wont happen anymore.

Good luck!

[wordsmith]

Yup. I find that I am only a perfectionist when I feel appreciated and given proper respect for being so. If not, f*ck y'all. It's a flaw.

[meatwad]

Yeah, but they want me to live my life in fear of QA (quality assurance). As far as I'm concerned, if I'm doing my job correctly, they'll notice. If not, I'll get my ass chewed out and I'll figure out another way. I'm afraid of too many things as is; I don't want to worry about some nit-picky corporate goon looking for ONE hair on the floor. :googly:

Paul

I know what you mean, but it's an industry where you're dealing with the food people eat and in your case the place that they sleep. People get very picky about things like that and return business is VERY important in these industries and very hard to get back.

[cache]

I understand everyone's point, but I know when I am at a hotel, if the room doesn't look perfect, I assume the worst. If there is something in the trash, then the entire room must not have been cleaned. If the toilet paper isn't folded over, then the bathroom wasn't cleaned...stuff like that. So I can understand the desire for perfection in that industry.

[Empressallie]

Yup. I find that I am only a perfectionist when I feel appreciated and given proper respect for being so. If not, f*ck y'all. It's a flaw.

how is that I am totally inspired by this?! ha!

I find that I have been making mistakes lately and I think a lot of it can be traced back to the fact that I am so discouraged in my job right now and the pay is horrific. Its almost slavery.

[wordsmith]

I'm personally not bothered if a sheet corner isn't tucked in. An obviously filthy shower? Ick. But if somebody didn't replace the complimentary conditioner, I'm not gonna raise holy hell about it and demand a free stay. I just am not that customer, in really any situation. But a lot of people will.

[MollyMe]

Could you make a checklist to remind you of different things.

People expect hotels to be clean. One hair on the floor, yes, I would be grossed out by it.

[Kitty]

I tend to be the same way because I like to move fast and get things done as quickly as possible. This often means I forget things. I just have to remind myself to slow down.

[LaFille]

i forget/stop caring about doing stuff when i feel burned out with what i am doing... which definitely sounds like something you are suffering from.

i agree with whoever said you should make a checklist.

[ya never know..]

Try doing the same job he is for 2 1/2 years...it definately gets boring. Only I don't work in a hotel, I work in a nursing facility. Total BURNOUT!!

[wordsmith]

Try doing the same job he is for 2 1/2 years...it definately gets boring. Only I don't work in a hotel, I work in a nursing facility. Total BURNOUT!!

I've been in mine 5 and counting.

[Kitty]

I feel more burnout when I start a new job because I hate not knowing how to do something and not knowing if I'm doing a good job. That stresses me out.

[wordsmith]

I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE being new at something with a passion. I despise not knowing everything there is to know right away. It stresses me out.

[PenforPrez]

Try doing the same job he is for 2 1/2 years...it definately gets boring. Only I don't work in a hotel, I work in a nursing facility. Total BURNOUT!!

I worked at Wal-Mart for close to three years before this job; had the same problem. Especially when I had to deal with high school dropouts being promoted over me when I was obviously more capable. I'm still VERY bitter about that.

I should take the advice of my GM at the hotel and just look through the rooms when I get done with them. I don't because I like to get into a rhythm and not break it. When you have 16 rooms to clean in eight hours, you're focused on time management. :rolleyes:

Paul

[ya never know..]

I get to do an entire building by myself on Saturdays...in 7.5 hrs, minus a 15 minute break and 30 minute lunch, so like 6hrs, 15 minutes to do over 30 rooms. Obviously they are just barely touched, but there are dining rooms and other stuff to do as well.

It gets very boring very fast, and I've even had 'special projects' to do before, like update the MSDS books or to redo the policy books, but those projects come to an end, and was only allowed to do them an hour a day, so it got back to being boring. Had other little projects scheduled here and there, but the newest gal took them over on her own (guess I wasn't good enough LOL). Anyhow, I would just like to do something different for once. Something that doesn't have to do with being on my feet all day.

Wordsmith, I could work for a newspaper forever! I did it for 18 months and LOVED it!! I wish there were more around here that I could work for, but in Podunk, stuff like that doesn't exist.

[KrisJ]

Hi Paul,

Making mistakes is called "being human." People tend to forget that, especially in hospitality (I work in the casino industry) where mistakes tend not to be forgiven, and noticed by a million different people.

This approach, in my experience, just sets up all employees for failure, because nobody can achieve perfection. Bad work environment and high turnover is the result. I don't understand why so many industries keep trying what doesn't work.

Maybe you're making mistakes, or can't do "consistent high-quality work" because you find the job monotonous and boring? It's no fun at the other end of the spectrum either, where there's so much challenge that you can't stand it. Middle ground, for both of us (and anyone else in our positions) would be nice.

I don't know - I'm in a shitty place myself and probably in no position to give anyone advice. However, I'm trying to look at my job as a necessary evil that pays the bills while I figure out what the hell I'm supposed to be doing. It gets me through the day, anyway. Maybe it will help you too?

Cheers,
Kris

[wordsmith]

Wordsmith, I could work for a newspaper forever! I did it for 18 months and LOVED it!! I wish there were more around here that I could work for, but in Podunk, stuff like that doesn't exist.

Don't count on it. I very nearly guarantee you that I live and work in a smaller community than you do. It for sure exists.

I also like the fact that it doesn't get boring.

[ya never know..]

around 1700 here, population-wise.

[wordsmith]

You do come in (slightly) under me. I guarantee you're served by a newspaper. Shit, we're served by three, and we have towns in our coverage that are pop 200-300)

[PenforPrez]

You do come in (slightly) under me. I guarantee you're served by a newspaper. Shit, we're served by three, and we have towns in our coverage that are pop 200-300)

The town I get my mail from has a population of 285. I live five miles from that post office, but only two miles from a post office in a town of 3200. Makes no sense. :googly:

Paul

[wordsmith]

I grew up within the township of a town of 200, it was also my polling place and rural fire protection district; my mailing address was for another post office in another town, pop 350; and my phone number was the prefix of the town where I went to school, which was not the town of my address or in the same county of my residence, which was population 7,000.

[sondra_finchley]

Just a note to everyone- dont ever use a water glass in a room in Las Vegas.

[PenforPrez]

Just a note to everyone- dont ever use a water glass in a room in Las Vegas.

Out of morbid curiosity: why?