Delayed Reaction

Something remarkable happened last Tuesday night as I was getting ready to close up the library. At five minutes to nine, there were still several groups dawdling in the study area. Normally, I wander around awkwardly, hoping that they’ll notice me and start packing up. But this time, I walked right up to the study room door and gave the patrons a pained look and pointed at the clock. They immediately got up from their seats and started getting ready to leave. Pleased with myself, I headed over to a table in the middle of the adult area where another patron was updating her computer. “The library is closing,” I told her in a firm voice. “I’m shutting down,” she protested. I glanced at her screen where I was informed that the update was only 27% finished. I gave her a pointed look, hovering near her table until she finally gave up, closed her laptop lid and headed for the exit.

I then walked over to my coworker and said something along the lines of “I used to be so nervous about confronting patrons and telling them they have to leave. I wonder what I was so afraid of.” He chuckled and replied, “Yeah, you have to get over that pretty quick.”

The thing is, I didn’t get over it very quickly. I’ve been working in my current position for about eighteen months and at this library in general for nearly seven years. Last Tuesday night was the first time I had the guts to approach people at closing and ask them to leave. I’m a part time worker, so there is usually another fulltime librarian closing with me. Until that night, I had always let them be the one to shoo people out the door. What had changed?

As I drove home, it suddenly hit me. A few weeks ago before senior study week, I had hypnotised myself to be okay with confrontation. I hadn’t needed the skill that particular week but three weeks later, without even having to think about it, the post-hypnotic suggestions kicked in and I was able to assert my authority and nudge the patrons toward the door. When I realised what had happen, I just started giggling hysterically. Just when I think I know exactly how my mind works, hypnosis has the power to surprise me yet again. I guess it goes to show you that you are never too smart to learn new things.