New beginnings are exciting, but a good start requires more than just a positive attitude, which author Beverly E. Jones learned the hard way.
On her first day at a Washington law firm 30 years ago, she was faced with a surprisingly cold reception. One senior partner even told her that he couldn’t understand why her colleagues hired her. He told her that she would need to prove herself to get a job in the company. She spent her first day doing nothing – no one offered her a job and she didn’t prepare anything for herself.
Things quickly changed, in part because she learned something from day one disaster:
No one else is going to help her succeed – she has to do it herself. By the second day, she had begun planning ways to take care of clients, manage clients, and let others in the company know what she could do.
Today, an employer would probably be better off matching you to a new job. But it’s still important to plan your own success, and some tips can help. Determine what your boss wants. Track her schedule, how she likes to communicate, and what she needs to make her boss happy. How often does she share information with her subordinates and superiors? Don’t expect to say these things.
As you begin to settle down, set realistic goals that you can achieve in the short term. Setting priorities and achieving goals will keep you on track. May include high-priority items, but may also include small attainable items such as scheduling introductory meetings with new colleagues.
Work hard for four to six weeks, focusing on starting your new business. Clear your calendar to focus on work – it won’t be sustainable in the long run, but it doesn’t have to be. Set a deadline to return to a more normal life, convinced that the intense work you put in is a worthwhile initial investment. This step probably won’t be easy, but as the CEO of your own career, it’s important to lay the foundation for your future success.
During this time, monitor your stress levels as you adjust to your new and unfamiliar surroundings. Take charge of managing this and make sure to invest time in a fitness program that keeps you cool and energized. The only person who can keep you healthy and performing at your best is you.
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