Have you just started working at a warehouse? Whether you are a picker, loader, assembler or any other position that involves movements and lifting, it can be daunting.
I’ve worked in multiple warehouses in different positions and I’ve gained a few insights on how to get used to the job.
So in this article, I’m going to share with you a few tips and tricks that myself and other warehouse workers have utilized to get used to working in a warehouse.
Give It Time
My best advice for you is to give yourself time. Believe it or not, the longer you do it the easier it gets.
When I fast started working as a picker, I wanted to quit on the first day. I was exhausted, sore and overwhelmed by everything going on at the warehouse.
But you know what? I decided to give it another day. A day turned into a week, weeks into months and months into years. And that was the best decision I made for my warehousing journey.
The more I kept doing it, the more my body got used to it and the more positive my outlook about the job became.
Change Your Mindset
I know, I know. I’ve been there. You get to work so bone-tired from the previous day that you can’t do much but turn in early when you get home.
Your social life takes a hit as a result.The job might also feel like a dead end strenuous job with no career prospects in sight.
But like I said before, it gets better with time. You’ll start to feel more energetic after work as time goes on.
Also, think about what the future is in store for you if you hold on to the job.
Look at the big picture. The warehousing industry is immense and is only getting bigger.
You don’t need to work manual jobs in the warehouse for the rest of your life.
There are many positions in the warehouse you could take that don’t involve lots of manual labor, like supervisor, QA, forklift driver, maintenance, etc.
Look around, there may be some courses/certifications you can take to move up the ladder.
Make Friends
Seriously. There’s nothing better than having someone that you share the same hardships and struggles at the workplace. Having warehouse worker friends help you realize that things are not just happening to you.
They give you pointers on how to improve your work. You also get someone to make jokes with over cigarette breaks to take off the edge.
Everything seems a thousand times harder to do if you don’t have friends at work. They don’t even have to be deep friendships if you don’t want them to be. Just having acquaintances you can relate with at work is enough.
Show Up Every Day
This is the only way you are going to get used to warehouse work faster. Don’t call in sick just because you feel exhausted. It’s not going to help in the long term because the more you work the better you get.
Showing up every day also makes supervisors cut you some slack in case your performance is not optimal; especially at the beginning. If you show them that you are at least trying, they will be willing to give you more time to catch up.
Plus, the check you receive after putting in the hours at work will make it all worth it. After all, we do this for the money too, right?
I’ve seen many people skip work every time they get sore. The people that do this don’t last very long at the warehouse, unfortunately, because they eventually lose the motivation to work.
Take it Easy
In order to make their numbers, some guys tend to overexert themselves. Don’t do this if you are a beginner.
This only leads to injuries and frustrations if you don’t see your numbers go up as a result.
If you get injuries due to the overexertion, you will always feel like you are not up to par. Going to work every day will be excruciating. So give yourself time if you are just starting out.
Also, if your numbers don’t go up because you’re doing too much too soon, you can easily feel demotivated and start to think that you will never be good. Which is never really the case.
This is because there are many variables that contribute to your speed such as experience in building a pallet – which may not be something you have in the beginning.
Be Consistent
Push yourself to maintain the same level of performance or go above it every day.
I know it can be exhausting doing it daily but it’s the one of the fastest ways you are going to get used to the work.
Just like fitness guys push themselves to get stronger at the gym, you need to do the same at the warehouse.
Closing Thoughts
Following the tips that I’ve outlined above is what made me and many others get used to working in a warehouse environment.
Remember that getting plenty of sleep and good nutrition is what is going to make following these recommendations easier.
