Fight 4 Happiness

New jobs are a natural transition in many of our lives. They are exciting and nerve wracking times. Filled with the loss of old teams and the vast opportunity to shape new relationships and goals.

I have the absolute privilege of starting a new role within Inclusion and Diversity. It’s an area which goes beyond passion and purpose for me. One which should be an essential foundation for any company or society and one which I am so excited to explore and support.

Even though this is a role I have long aspired too I was more than a little gutted at leaving my old team. My boss and colleagues were amazing to the extreme. I enjoyed the work and I was good at it. So there were more than a few things to miss and hell of a lot unknowns.

If you find yourself starting a new job here are some top tips for making a transition…

Mark the goodbye…

Good byes are hard. I must have cried at least three times on that last day. (Which is actually a huge win for me, allowing and not forcing aside those “negative” feelings). I still haven’t managed to read all the messages in my leaving card though. But it is so important to mark the occasion. For me this meant buying all the team a random work related mug. For the team they got together and bought me a wonderful stash of gifts. Another group I worked with actually got together and wrote me a poem. That absolutely was one of my teary moments. It was so thoughtful and kind. Dam I will miss them all.

Marking the occasion is important it allows the opportunities to finish the chapter and create space to start the new. It provides an acknowledgment for the good things lost. And enables a little space to grieve for the things we have lost.

Have a plan…

Make a list of what you want to and feel you should achieve in your first week. Be clear which items are a priority and which can wait. Always have a little more on your list than you think can be a achieved to avoid that mind numbing position of having nothing to do, but acknowledge that the list is purposefully a little longer than should be achievable.

Check expectations…

Run through your list with your boss and check that your priorities are aligned. It’s also important to understand if there any key deliverables due that need your input, or any fires you need to put out. Opening asking questions like. “What are your expectations in this week?” “Is there anything specific you need me to cover?” Will give you the confidence you are focused on the right things, and be a great frost impression for your boss.

Speak to people…

People are the centre of getting any job done well. Take the time to introduce yourself. Listen to other peoples views, challenges and solutions. Investing time now in building good relationships will help you no end down the road. I found it helpful to have a few questions to ask.

• Do you have an example of when my predecessor delivered really well?
• How can I support you in your role?
• If you had a magic wand what one would you fix?
• But of course these were all secondary to simply “Tell me about yourself.”

Give yourself time…

Be kind to yourself. You can’t always be expected to hit the ground running. If it is very new role, team, business it will take time to get you up to speed.

It can feel a little uncomfortable if you are coming for a role where you were performing well. In to a team where you have to take time to get up to pace. Be ok with that.

So simple mantras like, I will get this I just need to give myself time or I can learn this given enough time. Really help.

Celebrate the small wins…

You might be uset to delivering big wins. Achieving big goals. When you are in a new role, find a way to celebrate the small wins. If it’s getting yourself a cuppa, or buy yourself after the first week. Small wins matter and celebrating them helps our brains to lock onto that desire to generate more.

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Good luck, new jobs are an opportunity for us to shape ourselves, grow and succeed. I am sure you will find that sweet spot soon and if you don’t always remember you have choices (but I would always give it at least six months before you consider moving on).