The Early Bird Catches the Tents

Three days in, and I am getting slightly more accustomed to my role as a 'Sales Person'. The team there, despite being incredibly knowledgeable in one or more aspect of the outdoor pursuits trait, (in which I am not), are the most friendly group of people you could imagine. I have quickly learnt to use them to my advantage and to trust them to help me round every corner, that most definitely come round many times a day.

After the craziness and apparent disorganisation of the first couple of days, I turned up in a rather apprehensive mood. After the antics of last night, in which the Mittenmobile's clutch burnt out and had to be towed to the nearest garage, I had to join the dark side and cycle to work, (which I suppose is more of an enthusiastic arrival to an Outdoor Pursuits store), but ended up arriving thirty minutes early. This was no bad thing, as I was greeted by Ian, the store manager, who seemed to be pleased I had arrived, "raring to go". If I was honest, I'd of said, "I'm anything but", but I think it goes without saying, I didn't. This enthusiasm also allowed me to grab a much needed free coffee. The morning briefing was quick and not so simple, as many enthusiast's terms went in one ear and out the other, and even after the embarrassment of not being able to pack a simple tent away, (I wasn't the only one however), I decided that a chat was needed.

I went to see Ian, and expressed my concerns that my knowledge was nowhere near up to scratch and I may be letting the store down given that I was having to call someone everytime a difficult question was presented by a confused customer, (and given I am not even an amateur, this is almost every question). Ian was great. He said he had noticed that I was going up to most customers and being polite and friendly, (which is true), and said that it's fantastic I am doing that despite being nervous about the question that will inevitably come. He was very complimentary and said, and I quote, "I believe you can add a lot to this team". My old manner would contemplate that he was just saying it to make me feel better, but despite only being there 3 days, I know for a fact that Ian just wouldn't say that unless he meant it. He is 100% honest. And I 100% believed him.

After a quick chat with Senior man Oliver, my tasks for every day were sort of made clear, and I got on with what needed doing. The days are quite long, and I won't say, "the day flew by", because it didn't. I will need the willpower that has been absent for (nearly) 20 years to succeed at this job, but I have worked out that I need to find it soon, otherwise university is going to be nion impossible. I do believe I have started on becoming more of an adult however. The early mornings are a pain, and I do not enjoy them, but once I am there, doing what needs to be done, I can survive. Just.

Tomorrow is my last working day before the fun of the oncoming weekend starts. I am fully aware that I don't get a birthday at the end of every week though, so I imagine next week, (if the hours come), will be more difficult. But that, as they say, is life. And until September, I have very little choice but to shut up and get on with it.

P.S. Ian described me as a, "friendly guy who just gets on with it"... Who'd have thought it, hey?