I’m starting a new job tomorrow and wanted to pump myself up, hence this blog post. If you are getting ready to start a new job too and need to read some encouraging words, this one’s for you!
I’m pretty nervous about how this new job is going to go, given I’ve had some jobs recently that didn’t end up aligning with what I want and need. Although I was very intentional in my job search this time around, as well as while going through the interview process, I’m having some doubts creep in on the eve of my start date. I do think this is normal, as most people have some anxiety before starting a new job.
However, over the last few years, I’ve found myself increasingly fearful of change. So much so, that I would almost stay in a known but awful job situation because it’s comfortable and I know what to expect, rather than move to something new. Will I be able to do the job? Will I like the job? Will I like the people? Will they like me???
Obviously, that is straight up insane – I’d have to be really crazy to stay in a job I’m unhappy with just to avoid change, right? But I’m not the only one. Many people would rather stick with what they know than take a plunge into the unknown.
There is a quote about this that’s always stuck with me, and I think about it whenever I’m navigating something new: “You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”.
Change is a process and for me to be in the best mindset for my big day tomorrow, I think it’s important to pinpoint exactly why I feel nervous and come up with some narratives that enable me to look forward positively.
Here are a few reasons I’m nervous about the new job:
- It’s a pivot within my industry into an area that I don’t have much experience in and that I secretly fear I’m not good at.
- It’s a pay bump, so I feel that I have to prove I’m “worth it”.
- I was an internal referral, so I feel an added pressure to live up to the hype from my reference.
- I’ve had some previous jobs that didn’t work out well, and I keep recalling those instances with fear.
Now here’s what I will be telling myself to bring positivity and confidence into this next step of my career.
It’s okay to be nervous, but it’s not okay to let that hold me back.
People start new jobs all the time, and many people even change careers to something completely different. Being new at something is just a phase, and it will get better in time. Everyone is new at first.
I will have doubts and question my abilities at times, but that just means I’m taking a chance on myself to learn something new. It doesn’t mean I can’t do this. If anything, it just means that I care and I want to do a good job.
Be open to the learning process. There will be ups and downs, but ultimately I will grow from it.
I actually love learning new things, and it is in these moments of learning that I feel the most engaged. But once you add pressure to the learning process, like with a new job, I get all tripped up and anxious.
Incorporating a growth mindset will help me in my approach to the learning curve at my new job. I don’t know everything yet, but I can learn and get better at anything. Learning new things takes time and it will be uncomfortable at first, but I know that stepping outside of my comfort zone is how I will grow.
Also, it’s not the end of the world if I make a mistake. Mistakes will happen, and that’s okay. I don’t need to beat myself up over them, but just move forward in the best way possible.
Psychologist Carol Dweck has a great talk on this topic and it always leaves me feeling more open to trying new things. Give it a watch below.
I’ve been successful at my previous jobs, so it’s likely that I will be successful here.
This one is a direct counter thought to the fear that this job won’t work out well. I’ve come into new workplaces and taken on new responsibilities several times in the past. I’ve had to learn a lot quickly, and I’ve become really resourceful. I’ve been praised by former managers for my diligence, project management, and ability to build relationships. I’ve been a trusted partner and made great contributions. I’ve done this all before, and I can do it again.
At my last job, I kept a running list of accomplishments and when I left, I reflected on that list and felt proud. Yes, there are a few instances of jobs that didn’t work out well for me, but there are a lot more instances where I have been successful, and I have a lot of achievements I can reflect on if I need examples.
Let my personality shine
I had built great working relationships at my last job. People trusted that my work was reliable and my input was valuable. One thing that I’m not looking forward to is having to start all over again with a new manager and new coworkers. I tend to wonder whether new coworkers will like me and value my work.
To that end, I just need to do exactly what I did at my last job and every job before that. Which is to be myself and let my kindness and strong work ethic speak for itself. I’ve always made friends in the workplace, and this will be no different.
Hopefully these sentiments that I’m using to navigate starting a new job are helpful to you too! We got this, friend!