Picture this: it’s your first day at your new job and everything feels new and exciting. But then, that feeling of dread in your stomach, as if you’re on a rollercoaster, sets in. How do you deal with the nerves? What you’re feeling is absolutely normal and expected when it comes to new job anxiety. I remember the first day of my current job and the feeling of complete stress and uneasiness going in, but a year later I look back and see that it wasn’t as bad as I had thought it was. Though, I wish there had been someone to give me tips on how to calm my nerves on my first day. So without further ado, here are eight tips on how to conquer that pesky new job anxiety.
- Take a Breath. There’s no use in walking into work already on edge. That familiar feeling of nervousness is normal, but don’t let it overcome you. Hyper-analyzing your anxiety will only distract you from properly doing your job and that’s definitely something you want to avoid. So, take a moment for a deep breath and know that everything will work out.
- Know Your Worth. Feelings of inadequacy and the belief that you aren’t enough are based on nothing. They’re just thoughts in your head. Instead, focus on the fact that you were chosen to be hired and you have as much right as anyone at your new job to flourish.
- Practice Patience. No one walks into a new job knowing everything. So don’t be so hard on yourself if you don’t know how the company system works or where the printing room is. I know that familiar pressure of wanting to do everything right may overwhelm you, but trust the process. If you truly want to excel at your new job, take the time to build yourself.
- Familiarize Yourself. When I first started out at my job, the most intimidating thing to me was that I was unfamiliar with my surroundings. So to alleviate that sense of cluelessness, I decorated my workspace and truly made it mine. Your desk should be an extension of you. The more in touch you feel with your surroundings, the more at ease you’ll feel.
- Make Friends. You don’t have to go about this alone. Sometimes the best way to work through anxiety is to talk to someone about it. Making friends with your coworkers lessens how daunting your job feels. It’ll give you a familiar face to turn to whenever you’re doubting yourself.
- Go at Your Own Pace. Starting a new job always comes the feeling of not only wanting to do the best work, but also being the best worker. Putting that kind of pressure on yourself can be really unhealthy and engaging in the “workplace competition” to prove your worth may do more harm than good. Instead, take things one by one and ease into your tasks.
- Ask Questions. Don’t be shy when it comes to asking for help. No one expects you to know everything the first day, let alone the first week. Asking questions will help you gain better clarification and work more efficiently. It will also show your boss that you genuinely care about the work you’re doing and that you’re a team player.
- Realize You Won’t Always Be New. At some point in life, every person has to be the “newbie.” There was a new person before you were hired and there will most definitely be another new person long after your hiring. Trust me, you’re going to look back on those first few days at your job and realize that you really had nothing to worry about. All you can really do to tame that pesky new job anxiety is to look forward to the future. Just know that as long as you work hard and believe in yourself, nothing else matters.
How do you deal with new job anxiety? Let us know in the comments below!
Opening image by Shar
