Congratulations, you’ve landed your first job! It’s such an exciting and busy time for you, but lurking in the back of your thoughts might be questions of failure. Although you may feel pressured to be the absolute best you can be, remember that the first months on the job are often the craziest. That being said, it can be easy to throw yourself into work and forget your limits. However, when you test your limits you may find yourself feeling burnt out after only a few weeks on the job.
Job burnout is a common problem in all industries, and it’s not just something seasoned professionals experience, it’s something you can go through as well. But by following the advice below, you can avoid or notice when you’re putting too much of yourself into your job. Even though a new job is thrilling, recall that staying successful comes from not overstepping your comfort zone.
Tip #1: Take Care of Yourself
Yes, this might seem obvious, but your body needs attention even as you’re onboarding a lot of new job information. Eight hours of sleep a day is key for keeping cognitive functions running smoothly, and that’s important for your intake of new information as well as problem-solving. Plus, less sleep can leave you feeling irritable and stressed, which does not help you in your new position. A few ways to ensure you get your beauty rest is: making a to-do list the night before so you’re not laying awake prioritizing things, setting up switch-off times for when you will stop looking and responding to work questions, and also turning off any electronic devices at least 20 minutes prior to going to bed.
It’s not just sleep that keeps you going, it’s fueling your body with the right nutrients too. Although you might feel pressured to work through your lunch hour or avoid going out during that time, don’t just visit the vending machines for a quick sugary snack. Make your lunch at home or start preparing freezable meals that you can pull out as you need them. Part of a good diet is hydrating yourself too. Remember this means it’s important to drink water, not just coffee all the time. Caffeine can affect your concentration and sleeping patterns. Proper nutrition in your body will help stay focused at work.
Tip #2: Don’t Say Yes to Everything
As the new person, you may feel like you need to impress your new colleagues. One way some people do this is by saying yes to everything. Yes, you’ll take care of that report. Or yes, you can handle that full project. But saying yes to everything is also saying yes to additional stress.
Don’t take on more work then you can manage because instead of impressing or pleasing your manager, you may just frustrate them. Pace yourself during the first few months on the job, that way you can learn your limits and the job in a steady rhythm and not a tidal wave of all at once. Also, less work makes it easy to identify mistakes you’re making and fix them easily. Although you may want to prove your value by taking on more work, you’ll gain more respect by taking on the projects you can handle.
Tip #4: Talk Things Out with Your Manager
Your supervisor is there to help you succeed. They don’t want you to fail only a few weeks on the job. Regular meetings or talking sessions can help you prioritize your to do list, and locate small problems before they become bigger. For instance, your manager can help with projects that have become bigger than you can handle, and redistribute tasks to other team members.
More than that, you can talk through how you’re feeling and fix any issues you’re experiencing. It can be easy to put on a smile and say everything is going great, but don’t make yourself stressed out. Talking to your superiors will help you unload your problems and find healthy solutions for them. Your manager wasn’t always in that position, so they know what you’re going through and can help you move past a problem spot or suggest a way to scale your issue.
Tip #5: Identify Your Limits
You may want to come into your first job and prove yourself as a rock star, but that is not going to happen or help you. You will most likely feel overwhelmed by learning new processes and the job itself. Before you start a new position, take a moment to identify your stressors or what triggers anxious moments for you. You’ve probably experienced some stressful event at college or in other real life situations. Making note of the signs that you’re feeling engulfed in problems helps you realize when you’re in trouble at your new job. And don’t feel like you’re the only one who’s experienced this at your workplace or that it’s something you did. Most likely other colleagues have gone through something similar, and can help you move on too.
Landing your first job is an exciting time, and you may feel like jumping in with no reservations. However, don’t throw yourself off the deep end trying to impress everyone. Know your limits, remember to take care of your body, speak with your manager frequently, and avoid overcommitting yourself. By following these tips, you’ll have an even more successful time during your first months on the job.
Author bio: Brian Thomas is a contributor at Enlightened Digital. He enjoys writing and researching anything related to technology and business. When he’s not working, you can find him at a Philadelphia brewpub cheering on any Philly sports team that’s playing on the tv.
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