The first day at a new job
Everyone remembers the first and last day of school, or at a job; while the middle remains a blur of emotions and clothes, at least for me. On the 8th of September 2015 I started my first real job in Australia and I kept it until, well, three days ago, and I remember writing an article about that first day. You can still read it here, unedited and unfiltered. This week, I am upgrading my point of view, hoping it will come in handy to my audience and to future Barbs when she will be panicking for another first day of something.
Let’s take this adulting thing one step at a time and break these emotions down to make it easier to analyse.
This time, I won’t be afraid of bringing my extra-large tea cup and my matching notebook and pencil case. Also, nobody at my previous job ever made fun of me or complained about me taking notes, quite the opposite actually. All the things I was afraid of, three years ago, are practically what gets me through my day now, and it’s such a relief!
Moving on to negative things.
There is a little part of me that thinks I won’t be able to do this new job, and that I am not ready nor qualified enough for it. We’re talking about a job I willingly applied for, quite successfully got interviewed for, and got chosen for among others. Who is this inner saboteur and what gives her the right to decide about my future? I don’t even know exactly what I will be doing, how would she know I won’t be able to?
Can the little voice, please, shut up, and let me be excited for this new adventure that ticks all the boxes for my ideal job description?
Let's not forget that I managed to get a job in Australia just a few months after I moved here and I never had any issue; not with the language, not with the early alarm, not with the work environment, or the technology, or the colleagues. I even made some friends and added a job to my CV! I nailed it!
We need to remind ourselves more often that we do a great job at living.
It’s so counterproductive to start worrying before the worrying thing happened. Also, what if there is no worrying thing at all, and I will be perfectly capable to overcome anything that gets thrown my way? Or, what if challenges will come and I will be able to tackle them with the help of my team because nobody gives an important job to an unskilled individual?
To be fair, every time I had been panicking for something I ended up making my mother laugh because, she knew, there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of: school trips, dance recitals, plane rides, driving, hanging curtains, and so on.
Yes, I tend to get anxious for things. I am not saying a bit of adrenaline is not good, but we all agree sometimes we might blow things out of proportion, especially when they’re new to us or up high.
Also, I am feeling anxious about so many futile things, such as what to wear in order to make the right impression, professional but not ridiculously so, and well put-together but not looking vain. Where and when should I take my breaks? If I sit alone will I seem too introverted? Should I pick a desktop background to seem more approachable or keep it neutral? I might bring a book and use it as an ice-breaker. Should I bring chocolates or is it too eager?
In the future I will definitely look back to this list and laugh, and hopefully update it in my intent to consciously adult.
Image: via
Let’s take this adulting thing one step at a time and break these emotions down to make it easier to analyse.
This time, I won’t be afraid of bringing my extra-large tea cup and my matching notebook and pencil case. Also, nobody at my previous job ever made fun of me or complained about me taking notes, quite the opposite actually. All the things I was afraid of, three years ago, are practically what gets me through my day now, and it’s such a relief!
Moving on to negative things.
There is a little part of me that thinks I won’t be able to do this new job, and that I am not ready nor qualified enough for it. We’re talking about a job I willingly applied for, quite successfully got interviewed for, and got chosen for among others. Who is this inner saboteur and what gives her the right to decide about my future? I don’t even know exactly what I will be doing, how would she know I won’t be able to?
Can the little voice, please, shut up, and let me be excited for this new adventure that ticks all the boxes for my ideal job description?
Let's not forget that I managed to get a job in Australia just a few months after I moved here and I never had any issue; not with the language, not with the early alarm, not with the work environment, or the technology, or the colleagues. I even made some friends and added a job to my CV! I nailed it!
We need to remind ourselves more often that we do a great job at living.
It’s so counterproductive to start worrying before the worrying thing happened. Also, what if there is no worrying thing at all, and I will be perfectly capable to overcome anything that gets thrown my way? Or, what if challenges will come and I will be able to tackle them with the help of my team because nobody gives an important job to an unskilled individual?
To be fair, every time I had been panicking for something I ended up making my mother laugh because, she knew, there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of: school trips, dance recitals, plane rides, driving, hanging curtains, and so on.
Yes, I tend to get anxious for things. I am not saying a bit of adrenaline is not good, but we all agree sometimes we might blow things out of proportion, especially when they’re new to us or up high.
Also, I am feeling anxious about so many futile things, such as what to wear in order to make the right impression, professional but not ridiculously so, and well put-together but not looking vain. Where and when should I take my breaks? If I sit alone will I seem too introverted? Should I pick a desktop background to seem more approachable or keep it neutral? I might bring a book and use it as an ice-breaker. Should I bring chocolates or is it too eager?
In the future I will definitely look back to this list and laugh, and hopefully update it in my intent to consciously adult.
Image: via
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