​Five Ways to Beat New Job Anxiety

So you’ve landed your first real job after college. Congratulations! This is a big step in anyone’s life and it can be an exciting and exhilarating time. However, it can also trigger some major anxiety, especially if you are already prone to worry and doubt. Fortunately, there are some ways you can prepare yourself mentally for your new position that will help you curb anxiety before it can even start. Here are five ways to beat that new job anxiety and shine in your brand new career!
 
Set an Intention
Who do you want to be in your new position? How do you want to show up? Knowing this before you even walk in the door is important. If you want to be confident yet coachable, you will know you need to walk in with good self-esteem and an openness to feedback. When you have a firm image in your mind of who you will be and how you want this to look to your co-workers and bosses, you’ll have a mind map to follow when worry and doubt rear their ugly heads.
 
Create an Affirmation 
When you feel anxiety rising, it can be very helpful to have an affirmation you can fall back on. Make it short and simple so you can easily remember it. Something like “I am calm” or “I am capable” are great reminders to repeat over and over in your head when you start to feel panic.
 
Visualize
Those prone to anxiety have a tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios and play them out repeatedly in their minds. Instead of imagining flubbing that big presentation or spilling coffee on your boss, visualize giving a great speech or impressing your co-workers with your contribution to a project.
 
Assume the Best
Why did the secretary not greet you when you walked in the front door? How come your cubicle space still has the last person’s junk in it? It’s easy to assume the worst when you walk into a new job. Automatically thinking that the secretary hates you on sight or that no one cared enough about you to provide you with a clean space sets you up for failure. Always assuming that those you work with have the best of intentions helps you keep a positive perspective.
 
Be Nice to Yourself
Starting a new job is going to have some pitfalls and you are going to make mistakes. Beating yourself up for every mis-step is bound to lead to anxiety and impact your job performance. Remember to take responsibility for your choices, acknowledge when you’ve made a mistake, then chalk it up to experience and move on with a positive attitude.

Your first big job is an important step on your road to success and helps create a framework for your life as an adult. If you are prone to anxiety, remember the five above tips to help curb thoughts before they can turn into troublesome feelings and actions. When you show up with confidence, assume the best, and give yourself a break when needed, you’ll set yourself up for early success.

If you question if you are experiencing anxiety or depression, please contact me and we can arrange for a therapy session.