rethinking first impressions at a new job
Sometimes you need to vent your concerns and then take a step back. Today was the first day at the new job and it lived up to my worst nightmare. I spent almost an hour contemplating walking out the door and never returning. Then reality slapped me and I realized it was my fault the day wasn’t going well; I set myself up to dislike the job and wasn’t giving it a fair chance, nor was I acknowledging the positive aspects of it.
Right now, I’m delighting in the fact that it took me 13 minutes to get home. I’m home early enough to greet the daughter as she gets home from school and early enough make some yummy pork chops for dinner. Tomorrow, I’ll be prepared for a positive experience and will back off developing too many opinions.
note: Yes, that’s my desk in the photo with the shared office printer sitting on it – that printer has got to go somewhere else.
3 Things About Money
January 17th, 2007 17:50
Take a deeeeeep breath, kick the shared office printer to the door…or at least to the floor beside your desk, cause if enuf people have to bend over for their stuff, I bet a better place for the printer will be found rather quickly. Focus on the 13 minute commute and write on your calendar on a page 3 months from now: Still hate your job? You have permission, now that you have given it a shot, to start looking for a new one…hang in there!
MillionDollarJourney.com
January 17th, 2007 18:01
Donna,
Give it some time before making any rash decisions. Who knows, perhaps this will turn out to be your dream job?
FT
http://www.milliondollarjourney.com
Joe W
January 18th, 2007 12:12
Leave the printer where it is, it gives you a chance to strike up conversations and connect with people waiting for their papers to print out. It will accelerate your fitting in… then move it to another place (plus by moving it later rather than sooner you don’t come of as a prima donna by moving it right away).
Donna Jean
January 18th, 2007 14:42
Thanks for the support - I needed it! Today didn’t feel any better but I’m taking a more proactive approach to getting some work to do. One problem is that I accepted a position with less responsibility than I’m used to and now I’m balking at twiddling my thumbs. I’ll certainly give it some time (even 3+ months) and will be sure my ego backs off a little bit.
FT – ummm, dream job is highly unlikely but I agree to no rash decisions.
Joe - the printer gets until next week and, when we move locations, I’ll be sure it finds a new home. The socialization idea is great, but I can’t function professionally with constant interruptions as people squeeze past me to get their printouts.