The New Guy Part 3

I'm learning more about flexibility and how coverage works as I enter almost a full month away from Academy and will be shifting to a Cycle 0 (2nd shift) schedule this upcoming work week. 

I have started training on the receiving dock, trying to get as many reps as possible. I have more training to be completed but getting started with this hands on has been beneficial for me. 

I already had 2 books recommended for me to become a better manager. I now have a 3rd that was given to us by my site lead. 

I'm definitely getting the reps in this week and pray I can do well and know where to escalate when things go South. 

The New Guy Part 2

I have one more week left before I move on to my seasonal shift, Cycle 0. For those unfamiliar, delivery stations often run another shift to better utilize getting deliveries to customers same day by making delivery cycles around the clock. 

I'm already feeling more familiar with duties and responsibilities. The biggest challenges now are staffing properly, having every tool I need, knowing how to properly do my admin work, and calculating flow. I feel it's coming together as I assess what I'm good at, what I already know, where my opportunities lie and work from there.

This upcoming week I'll be working more on the dock to familiarize myself with the overall operation and flow. I'm feeling good overall but trying to stay patient as I continue to learn and progress. 

The New Guy Part I

I'm finally getting my schedule and routine back together from training for my newest role plus other stuff that's happened in between (travel, Helene, etc). This series will go on for a while at least. 

I'm not new to Amazon, delivery stations or even operational leadership and some of the tools I utilize. I'm new to the overall position and the flow required to do well. 

I'm blessed to have a very supportive team, arguably the most supportive ever. From my site lead, my managers, counterparts and associates, I feel everyone is all in to keep me engaged, teach me and mentor me. 

I just completed my Academy training and I'm getting more hands on training and such as we go into our Peak season. 

I've had challenges such as the longer commute, schedule, learning my associates names and where they are best suited. I'm just giving it my best effort and leaning on my circle of support.  

On The Way Back: Part 10

I always kept a long term endgame related plan for my advancement. This most recent promotion didn't come as quickly as I would like but it came. 

I learned and mastered both the sort and RTS operations of AMXL as well as the dispatch portion. I learned how to properly lead, escalate and listen to a staff of associates.  I evaluated myself daily, weekly, continued building my stories for advancement and was open to feedback. 

I was able to help others develop and advance, and I became more open to change, had a better temporment and became a stronger leader and person. 

I'll be returning back to AMZL so I'm ready to see how part 11 goes. Either way, I'm enjoying both the ride and process!

On The Way Back: Part 9

This will be in two parts.  

My Amazon journey/career has taken me through the AMXL (heavy box route). I have worked in operational leadership, receiving packages from drivers as they return to station and running our sort operation overnight. 

It feels good to be in charge and motivate folks. It's tiring, hard work with a lot of detail but never boring. I'm glad I chose this route as part of my long term plan. 

Things have gotten deterred again per life. I was injured and out for two months and then my mother passed away so there was being out, grieving and then beginning probate court. I wanted to allow myself to develop and delay the next step of advancement a little further. 

I had no idea I would be delayed even further and how hard it would be to jump over this hurdle.  Stay tuned for more as it literally took 3 years. 

STARS: How I Have Consistently Been Punctual

Punctuality is both a skill and a learned behavior. 

That said, I've had challenges such as navigating major cities and long commutes that would otherwise deter the average person. 

I always look at traffic reports, local and statewide. I see where there are any big events or even railroads that may cause a delay.  I know and learn every side road, byway or shortcut back and forth. Also while enroute I keep my GPS running for real time updates and detours. I also leave up to an hour early to account for anything else I've missed. I also set up to five alarms to keep me awake. 

Doing this the past 29 years has only had me late or even on time in five instances. I'm on time at best, 30 minutes early at most. We're all free today and everyday, you can do it also. 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Volume 35- TIME

I could talk about how much my mom loved the 4th but I kind of covered that in the hash installment. This is about how she was so punctual to everything even with two boys and how that carries me to this day. 

My mom would often leave up to an hour early to account for any type of instances or delays. You would have thought we were going to the airport to catch a flight. I started working 29 years ago at Hardee's in Blacksburg.  I didn't have a car yet and Mom would get me there 30 minutes before my shift started. She did that for every job she drove me to. 

Punctuality is a learned behavior and a valuable skill. I'm glad Debbie stressed the importance of it and kept me from being late rarely if ever. 

Happy 4th, Independence Day, Treason Day, Divorce from Britain, 15 days after Juneteenth, etcq