How to stop feeling nervous about starting a new job

By Great Learning Team Updated on Apr 30, 2024 676

Introduction
Have a clear outlook
Take control of your anxiety
Maintain your expectations
Realize that your nervousness will not be permanent
Plan something nice for yourself
Approach the new position with a positive attitude
Before the first day of your job
Stay confident and set realistic expectations
You won’t know everything and that’s completely fine

Introduction

Are you nervous to start your new job? If yes, you have come to the right place on how to overcome your nerves and be confident on your first day at your new job.

What are the four things that you can do to stop feeling nervous and start feeling confident?

The first tip is to know that you deserve this job and to really believe in your heart that you deserve it. Often, when you start a new job, if it’s a more challenging job, or a senior position when you’ve changed careers, or it’s a really big company, you may start to feel a sense of imposter syndrome. This is when you feel that maybe you’re not good enough. Your mind starts to wander and you think that you may not meet the expectations of the company. Before you reach this stage, keep in mind that you are good enough for the job.

The second tip is to follow positive affirmations and reinforcements. Let us now look at more ways through which you can keep your nerves in check before starting a new job. Let’s get started!

Have a clear outlook

Is your mind constantly nervous about a million aspects, or ‘what ifs’ of your new job – such as the new substitute, your new colleagues or whether you will be able to grasp the role? If so, remind yourself that, yes, starting a new job is necessary. It is just another phase of your life – and your life will have lots of different phases, all bringing their own challenges, but you will defeat all of them, and move on to the next. So try to keep a clear outlook, this is just another change, and you will soon accommodate and move on to the next change – that’s life, and your mind will soon be focused on something else.

Take control of your anxiety

Generally, the best way to resolve anxiety or nervousness is to simply talk about it with a trusted intimate. They can remind you of how wonderful you are, and why you earned the job in the first place.

Speak to a positive influence in your life about these problems; otherwise, you may leave the conversation feeling worse than you began it.

Do not get nervous! If there’s nobody to talk to, try journaling about your feelings or getting some professional help. Your anxieties may feel more solvable once you put them down on paper and look at them objectively.

Maintain your expectations

You may want to jump into your new job and instantly start adding value — that’s a great attitude, but don’t put too much burden on yourself to start off as an expert. The first couple of weeks are a learning experience, so keep that in mind and relax, even if you don’t know many things.

Realize that your nervousness will not be permanent

Remember that your nerves will be just a temporary feeling, and in a few days’ time. So instead of being upset, remember all the things that motivated you to take this new job in the first place, including the chance to embark on a new phase of your life, meet new and energetic people, and the opportunity to work in a different place at a new and interesting company. This is definitely a time in your life when you should be feeling excited, rather than dreading what is on the horizon – so don’t get nervous and let your feelings of worry and nervousness get in the way of that which is not permanent.

Plan something nice for yourself

Your first day might be stressful, but be gentle with yourself and plan something which is pleasant or relaxing after your first day at the new job. This will provide motivation to the end of the day.

Approach the new position with a positive attitude

There is a great opportunity to learn something new and gain a positive experience from your new job and grow in your professional life. If you make mistakes, learn how to fix or solve them and ask how to avoid them in the future. Recognizing the possibility of making mistakes can improve your mindset and give you a more productive mindset when starting your new job.

Before the first day of your job

You have to try to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep, take a good nap and that you start the morning off in a relaxing way; avoid reaching for electronic devices and, in doing so, immediately striking your mind with information. Do meditation for ten minutes as it helps in reducing stress by affecting your nervous system.

Stay confident and set realistic expectations

You have to work on your mindset to focus on the wins and to see failures as learning experiences as it increases confidence. Even the most experienced worker is bound to fall short of a goal now and then. And as a new worker, it’s going to take time to learn the ropes and best practices of your new workplace. Give yourself the chance to learn during this moderate period and use your false steps as a way to become a more efficient and knowledgeable employee.

Try not to jumble your daily to-do list with an extreme number of tasks. When starting out at a new job, it’s important to take things slow and celebrate every achievement and step forward. If you assign yourself too many tasks, you won’t be able to get them done, and that will only add to your anxiety. Just focus on your top few priorities each day. You will feel much more practised and skillful when you’re able to clear your to-do list on a daily basis.

You won’t know everything and that’s completely fine

As you walk into work for the first time for your job, remember that it’s OK not to focus on everything in the first few days. New employees have a learning curve as they begin to master new business systems and operations. When you need something to learn, any co-worker or manager will be willing to help you as they know that you’re still learning.

However, as you go through the recruitment process, take the time to ask questions and make sure you fully understand what they’re training you to do. It will make a great first impression as you show your dedication to understanding the job comprehensively. It will also support you to discover important information that allows you to adapt faster. Let your job anxiety inspire you to be particularly conscientious as you adjust.

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