STICKY BOOGERS!

I am not blessed with the ability to multi task.  I have Sensory Processing Disorder.  No biggie and certainly if it's the worst thing I deal with, I'm doing pretty darn good.  Yet, I do need my space and quiet time when I'm working on anything complex.  Let me be honest, too...I need my solo time.  I need to unplug from other people and be with my thoughts from time to time.  I get sensory stimulation over load.  I can't listen to how someone's weekend went if I have a time sensitive task at hand.  For example, I'm the opener at work.  I come in early to run updates on the computer, sip my coffee, check inventory, address any inventory needs so it's attractive to buyers, answer business email inquiries, etc.  It's MY time to get my rhythm and tone set for the day.  Ever try writing a memo when someone is talking to you?  You end up writing what they are saying.  I know that happens to all of us, right?  If I don't have an active customer in front of me, people assume I'm available.  The thing is VISIBILITY does not mean AVAILABILITY.  People get the two confused. 

Because it's a small office, it can also make me vulnerable.  Meaning it's easy to make me a hostage.  My office is tucked in the back with no escape routes.  I can't tell you how many people block the door way of my office like "Mhhhhuh uh uh uhhhhhh!  You're my captive audience now!".  Even if I grab keys and hit the showroom floor (makes it sound fancy...it's not, but it's clean and tidy) to take care of inventory, people will follow me from car to car oblivious to my body language!  One of the WORST offenders is my very own coworker.  He seems to think I was hired to sit around and listen to every little thought that pops into his head while giving him my undivided attention.  I spend approximately half my day (a conservative guesstimate) trying to flick all these sticky boogers off my finger.  That's right.  I called them STICKY BOOGERS!  Don't judge.  Every single one of us knows what a sticky booger is like.  The one you swear went in the tissue but somehow ended up on your hand or face.  The one that won't go away peacefully!  The one that won't disappear gracefully!

My coworker, our tow driver, a prior employee, the mail man, our prior mail man (yep, he still comes by, too!), our air conditioning repair guy, the insurance agents, even customers!  I don't mind carving out a minute to connect with people.  I want people feel valued because they are and I do appreciate them.  BUT, when it's time to wrap it up and move things along, it's time to wrap it up and move things along.  Amirite?!  I'm not shy either.  I let people know, kindly, with my words and my body language.  What's a girl gotta do to keep boogers at bay without being out right rude?!  Then again, I guess if they are bold enough to show they don't respect my time, I can be bold enough to be rude.  Miss Rudy McRuderton.  Hmmm.  Nice ring to it.