Sital Ruparelia

Question:

“I’m only 3 weeks into my new job and I’m exhausted and stressed already.

I’m suffering from information overload and can’t sleep as I’m worried about all the things I need to learn.

I’m so distracted with helping my colleagues that I don’t have enought time to work on my work and learning.  I’m trying to be helpful, make friends and be a good team player but in doing so worry that I’m diluting my progress.

I’m trying to leave the office at sensible hours and not work silly hours like I used to in my last job.  But I’m constantly thinking about work outside office hours and so feeling stressed and exhausted the next day. Which makes me less productive and so creates a viscious cycle.

My boss is great and tells me I’m doing well. But it doesnt feel like it – i’m tired, stressed and at times overwhealmed.

What should I do?”

My Answer:

After the initial honeymoon period of starting a new job,  it’s very common to feel slightly insecure, stressed and overwhealmed a few weeks into the new role.

Here are some suggested steps that will help:

1. Decide with your line manager what your top 3 objectives should be for the next 6 months and then put them in writing so that your committed.

2. Prioritise 70% of your time on activities which help achieve the top 3 objectives. Squeeze everything else (helping others,  ad-hoc projects etc) into the other 30% of time. Tell your line manager what you’re doing and get their backing

3. Conciously celebrate your small successes and progress instead of overly focussing on all the stuff what you haven’t learned yet

4. Find non-work related activities to fill up the spare time away from work so that your poor brain can switch off and rest

5. Remember:  starting a new job is like starting  a marathon – not a sprint.  It’s good to start strong, but do pace yourself. It’s only 3 weeks in and all the feedback is positive so go easy on yourself