Surely, it’s not just me, but when I start a new job, I pretty much crap myself days before I start. What will I be working on, is it going to be too hard and what if I can’t actually do the job because my skills aren’t up to scratch? All valid questions when the unknown creeps in. Will I have a good boss and will my colleagues be cool. Jeepers, this is like starting school for the first time.
Anxiety creeps in the night before my first day. The thoughts knowing the first two weeks are just plain shitty, boring and the usual “what the f*&k am I doing here!!” Have I made the right decision and is this what I really want from my life? Big questions, unwarranted, because it’s the anxiety kicking in. It finally passes and my normal thoughts kick back in. It will be ok I say!
Yes, the above is true, the first few weeks are hard. A slog at the best of times. No login, no computer if your very unlucky, names to remember and crappy induction training built for pre-schoolers. They say if you hear a whoop-whoop-whoop sound, then evacuate leaving everything behind. I can assure you, when I hear that, I grab my keys, phone, bag, save my work, possibly have a final sip of water and then I go. I’ve seen managers stay at their desk planning holidays during this. They feel it’s the only quiet time they get!! Go figure!
Anyway, throughout all my experiences of starting a new job, I know it gets easier and before you know it, it feels like you’ve been there forever.
So why do I keep doubting myself? It’s not like I’m faking my way through interviews pulling the wool over someone’s eyes and surely, I haven’t forgotten everything I know, have I? There is a lot of energy needed in a new role getting to know the business and the people. Pressure does build when you don’t want to disappoint your peers. Afterall, our worth is on the line.
But once my head is buried in the work, I realise I have the skills to pick things up quickly and learn my way through it. I was after all, employed based on my skills, experience and demeanour. Soon enough, without even thinking about it, I become a so- called expert in the business. Finally, all my years of experience has come to the rescue.
There it is, the sleepless nights and the big questions eludes to nothing but learning to just trust myself. That any job, big or small, can be done with patience and time and years of experience backing me up. Even if it is your first job, the thought process should be the same. The only difference really is you replace the years of experience with enthusiasm and attitude. This alone will keep you in good stead.