The 6 Mental States of Being Jerked Around at Work

We all have those "Jerk Around" moments in the workplace. Those moments where something totally out of the blue leaves us with a slack-jawed "Huh!?" expression on our faces.

It could be perpetrated by the boss, could be a coworker, or might be a client. No matter how you're forced into it or by whom, there seems to be a set pattern that many of us pass through when we get the unexpected kidney-blow to our well laid plans or expectations. It goes something like this:

1. Shock

Say what? But I.....but we........but they.......but didn't we just?.......ah crap.

2. Speculation

I wonder if this is about.....? Maybe they want to?......or it could be this other thing. Maybe it's something really really good. Or very very bad. Or just something mundane and trivial. Dang.

3. Anger

What the...?! You mean this is about...?!!!! Well I'll be damned. Now I'm just p.o.'ed.

4. Resignation

Alright, alright. Might as well make the best of this. No sense in going off the deep end here. Sit down, shut up, and do as you're told. Geez.

5. Endurance

Hmmm. This has gotten old already. Wonder if I can check my e-mail?

6. Resentment

OK, let's put today in this column over here. Yeah that's the one. The one where I keep track of episodes like this.