Job change and anxiety: what to do?
Written by: Loris Vitry (holistic coach)
Validated by: Cathy Maillot (Osteopath)
Caution: If you have any medical questions or concerns, please speak to your doctor. Even if the articles on this site are based on scientific studies, they do not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Between the change in management, a new position and a new job, instability in the workplace has become quite common.
A change of job, for example, is usually a source of stress and anxiety, because it is a leap into the unknown.
It is therefore necessary to find suitable methods to manage everything.
In this article, you will find sound advice on how to properly approach this change.
Make adequate arrangements before the first day
Anxiety and stress are normal emotions, especially when it comes to change.
However, this kind of fear translates differently in different individuals.
This change that occurs professionally is considered a transition.
To be successful in this, it is important to have a good organization and to make sure that all of your things are in place.
You can do this by making a list of all the things to do before starting a new job.
Therefore, before the first day at your new job, it is essential to get a good night’s sleep.
This will allow you to approach the morning in a relaxed manner.
This requires moving away from electronic devices that can overload your mind with new information.
Instead, you should meditate for at least ten minutes to clear your mind of all worries before going to bed.
On the eve of your first day at work, you can wear your freshly ironed shirt and stand in front of the mirror to see how you will look at work.
However, it is essential to make sure that you are yourself at work.
If you try to give the wrong impression of yourself from day one, your new employees will notice it by day three or four on the job.
Adopt good habits from day one at the office
It is important to remember that you got this job because of your skills and ability to do the job required.
You didn’t kill anyone or hurt anyone.
You no longer cheated or bribed to get this job.
If the company has chosen you, it is because those in charge are aware of what you can do for the company.
There is therefore no need to question the intelligence of those who have chosen you.
You really deserve to be there.
Also, you should realize that this anxiety will pass and that it is quite normal to feel nervous on this first day.
Remember that the first day at your new job can be busy.
This can be a great help as it allows you to focus on your tasks and let go of this anxiety.
However, if you are very stressed on the first day, you can practice deep breathing to reduce this feeling.
In addition, you must get to know your new employees.
This is important because if you feel comfortable with them, you will find your work environment more familiar.
You can also take some things to make you feel more comfortable, such as your own mug or a family photo.
Focus on the first week and the first month
During this time, one of your first goals will be to get to know the people around you.
For example, you can have your meal with a collaborator.
However, it takes patience, as it usually takes a while.
In addition, you must avoid getting too familiar with your employees.
The risk is to end up forgetting the reasons why you are there and not to have a certain rigor in the work.
We must therefore allow things to evolve naturally.
Then, during the first week, it is important to have as much information as possible about your new role.
However, be careful not to take your lead too much.
Over time, you will learn more about your new job.
Moreover, your people within the company know very well that you need time to learn everything.
Do not hesitate to ask questions if you have any doubts about a particular topic.
Too often, newbies are preoccupied with certain tasks that are not considered a priority.
Asking for directions will help identify highly important activities and frivolous tasks.
Bring up the subject with those responsible
You can also talk to your supervisor about this anxiety you are feeling.
This will allow you to benefit from the various services set up by the company to assist employees in need of psychological support.
Indeed, many companies have assistance programs intended for employees.
In addition, it is essential to learn from your mistakes.
These are an integral part of the process.
No job will be perfect.
Accepting it will be a way for you to feel less pressure about your superiors’ appreciation of your work.
Some small failures are beneficial in learning.
If you start doing this, the word failure will no longer appear in your lexicon.
Rely on the company’s systems to remedy anxiety
To facilitate your integration and allow you to get rid of this anxiety as quickly as possible, the company must complete certain prerequisites.
Indeed, she should welcome you and make sure you are introduced to your colleagues.
Some organizations send a welcome packet even before the employee starts.
In this package a lot of information is available.
This information about the company may be unknown to the outside world.
In addition, the history of the company is notified there.
In other companies, a catalog is served to new members.
This brings together testimonials from the various staff members who each explains their feelings during the first day of work in the company.
This tip helps the newcomer to feel comfortable and not feel alone in such a situation.
It is therefore important to ensure that the new member is well received by his colleagues.
The company must ensure that the new employee can ask all the questions they want.
This will help him better understand his role and what is expected of him within the team.
In conclusion, the change of work always comes with some apprehension.
When it comes time to start a new challenge, the aforementioned tips can be of great help in getting rid of this anxiety.
Thus, you will feel at your ease in your new functions.
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