Can a misfit ever shape up?

April 1, 2014 12:01 PM

I have trouble fitting in at work. Most of my coworkers seem to be a bunch of squares who follow the company line to a T. Everyone here certainly seems to have a very two-dimensional view of the world. But work is just piling up faster and faster and I'm starting to think I'm just not made for this job. Each day is an endless puzzle. I just can't seem to connect with others, like no matter how much I twist and turn there's always a gap left between. I feel like I'm falling. Help!

If it matters, there's this annoying looped Russian folk music being piped in non-stop, I think it speeds up when it gets super busy?

posted by TheWrongKindOfL to Health & Fitness around (13 answers total)

Take a deep breath. Just relax, you're doing fine; everybody has to start by learning to play the game.

Look for what others are missing, and position yourself to fill those voids. A little experience is the key -- before long, you'll be getting things lined up easily and it will seem like your troubles are disappearing before your eyes.
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:03 PM on March 31, 2014 [14 favorites]

You'll do fine if you just continue to play the game, boy.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:17 PM on March 31, 2014 [3 favorites]

See if you can find out beforehand what the next piece of work will be (like maybe set up an alert somewhere on the corner of your desktop)... I also find sometimes it helps to not pile my work onto the middle of my desk, but on the sides, so I can use the center of the desk to work on getting the most immediate projects cleared. The work on the sides will come down eventually this way. I usually end up in good enough shape.
posted by not_on_display at 9:22 PM on March 31, 2014 [29 favorites]

Sounds like you need a whole new career path. Go join the Coast Guard and rescue people for a living.
posted by threeants at 10:18 PM on March 31, 2014 [9 favorites]

One thing I've found useful in this sort of situation is to just look for isolated holes in my workflow that I can deal with one at a time. Make a list, and then just block out one issue at a time, working your way down.
posted by cortex at 10:21 PM on March 31, 2014

Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed, I find it helps to look at things from a different perspective. I'd recommend a change in perspective of 90, 180 or 270 degrees; give them each a try, see if anything fits.
posted by davejay at 10:37 PM on March 31, 2014 [15 favorites]

Maybe you need a vacation, comrade.
posted by daq at 11:38 PM on March 31, 2014

Don't give up hope, and take a look around. Even though it feels like you've hit rock bottom there is nearly always time to make a shift into another position if you remain quick on your feet. Think laterally.
posted by arha at 11:40 PM on March 31, 2014 [2 favorites]

Music can help ease stress on the job. Slow-paced music can relax you; you might find a quick tempo will motivate you or it could just increase the pressure, YMMV.
posted by Gordafarin at 1:59 AM on April 1, 2014

It sounds like you have depression and could benefit from some medication. See a doctor ASAP. I'm memailing you my doc's contact info; his name's Mario and he could help you with a fresh start.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:13 AM on April 1, 2014 [11 favorites]

Don't do what my friend did in a similar situation. He took to eating pills – until he started to see ghosts.
posted by moonmilk at 5:38 AM on April 1, 2014 [4 favorites]

Take 2 Tetracycline and call me in the morning.

IANStHh
posted by 40% Chance of Florence Henderson at 9:38 AM on April 1, 2014 [1 favorite]

if at all possible, avoid the hovercraft. damn thing is full of eels.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 9:52 AM on April 1, 2014 [2 favorites]