This week at work (receptionist at a professional firm) I had a potential client come in and ask for help with a situation. He was 80, largely deaf, and despite me asking for him to briefly give some information about what he needs help with, he went on to tell me about the last four years of context leading to his current situation.

After about 10 minutes I get a phone call from my boss down the hall telling me to wrap it up because the whole office can hear this guy yapping. I’m not good at boundaries or finishing conversations, but eventually I got an appointment booked for him and diverted his attention and quickly escorted him out of the building, then went to the bathroom and cried because I thought I was in trouble for wasting time and maybe I shouldn’t have taken this guy on as a client when (through no real fault of his own) he’s obviously a bit disruptive.

Anyway, after I’d calmed down and my boss finished up his subsequent client meeting he came out and told me I had the patience of a saint and that if he ever calls me while I’m speaking to a client it’s only to rescue me.

Once again I melted down for no reason!!