collaborative post | Describing a new job as a “shock” can seem a little bit dramatic, but the truth is that to your general routine, your stability, and your comfort, a new job can feel like this. It takes some time to adjust to a brand new corporate environment, manage your affairs, squeeze the most free time out of the day, and to deal with all of this new information and how it can tire you out quite easily.
If you’re not careful, it’s easy to let all the excitement get to you, and even start experiencing symptoms of burnout. It may seem as though burnout only comes when you work back-to-back double shifts or try to put too much on your place, but a significant enough change in your working habits, like going back to the office ten hours a day after working from home for a while, or perhaps starting your first job since becoming a stay-at-home parent a decade ago, can be a major difference.
Now, we’re sure you’re no stranger to hard work. But you don’t have to be to still feel a little out of the ordinary, despite your wonderful new opportunity. Let’s consider, then, how to appropriately soothe the stress and possible burnout of a new job:
Manage Your Anxieties
Heading to a brand new environment where you’re hoping to make a good new impression, you’re liable to meet dozens of new people, and you have to onboard onto a new method of working can be intense for anyone, even veterans of an industry.
For that reason, it’s good to manage your anxieties. Meditate before you head into work to compose yourself, and make sure you work on your sleep schedule for at least a week before you go in, so you can arrive as rested as possible.
Natural supplements can also help – valerian root has been proven to help against the discomfort of anxiety, and Naturecan can provide you with amazing CBD benefits. Just remember that this shouldn’t replace medical advice if you feel that your anxiety requires a little more attention, and there’s no shame in asking for that kind of help. Always consult your doctor first if you’re unsure.
Research Your Workplace
It’s always good to feel as though you know what pool you’re diving into, including the depth and temperature of the proverbial water. You can achieve this by reading most pages on the company website, viewing the meet the team page, understanding the services and products on offer, and watching any content they put out.
On top of this, you might decide to practice your morning commute just to make sure you can make it to work on time via the route you’ve identified as being most necessary.
You can also discuss your needs ahead of time, such as by asking for disability access, understanding what the staff room facilities are like (and if you have appliances to warm up your lunch), etc. This way, you can feel a little less apprehensive about that which is on offer.
Set Your Boundaries
It’s very easy to overpromise everything when you start a new job because you want to make a good impression. But it’s important that you don’t extend yourself to an unmanageable degree. For example, if you’ve been asked to do overtime three times a week in your first month, then it’s essential you speak to your line manager about that unrealistic expectation and how you have children to care for as you go back home.
As you set your boundaries, you can showcase that you’re willing to protect your work-life balance as appropriate. This way, you can implicitly request the respect you’re due. If that doesn’t work out, well, at least you’ll know that the position isn’t suitable for you, through no fault of your own.
You’re Going To Make Mistakes
You’re not the perfect professional, and that’s totally fine, because no one is, especially not those that run the top of a company – we need only look to examples like Enron for that kind of insight.
It’s important to give yourself a bit of slack. There’s no such thing as a stupid question, only those that go unasked. There’s no such thing as a perfect onboarding process, as mistakes are how you learn. Provided you’re good-natured, heartfelt, interested, and eager to learn, you’ll improve over time.
This way, you can avoid catastrophizing about mistakes, or worse, look to hide them from view when they occur. You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s okay.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to soothe the stress and burnout of a new job, even if it can take a little time to get used to. Before long, you’ll feel like part of the office furniture.
