I hate change. I hate not knowing what I am doing. I hate not knowing where to go. I hate starting a new job all together, but it had to be done.Over the past four years I got comfortable at my job. I knew everything there was to know about it, all the procedures, all the requirements and all the specifications. Now all that is thrown out the window and I have to start all over again. It may be the same kind of work, but everything is different. I guess when it comes right down to it, I hate not knowing.
Just four years ago I was in the same situation. I remember how bad it was learning all the ins and outs of the job I just left. I almost walked off at least a dozen times, but I didn't. This is the same thing. I am already second guessing my decision to leave, my brain shuts down and all I want to do is go home. I am afraid I will let my new employer down and most of all I am afraid I will let myself down.
The good thing is I know this will pass. I know in a couple of weeks I will "get it." They are paying me good money to do a job I already know how to do, it's all the little things that I have to learn like the documentation, people and responsibilities I am now in charge of. Plus the new job site I have to transverse on a daily bases that I don't have a clue where to go.
Give me a couple of weeks or so and I will get the hang of it.
Thanks for letting bend your ear,
MDR
My dad always told me "If you're going to feel stupid because you need instructions, ask for guidance and make your mistakes right off the bat. Don't wait til 2 weeks have passed to start asking questions."
ReplyDeleteYou expect yourself to be like the old timers there. They had to learn ions ago, and you're the new (and vulnerable) guy.
When I first started doing the payroll for the city fire department, I had NO CLUE. Many nights I cried, knowing I was an idiot. Five years later, I was asked to set up a computer program for the entire city!!
Lay low, but keep asking. They hired you for THEIR company, so they figured you were worth the breaking in period.
Thanks for the story LJ
DeleteHey Bub!!! You got this!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks SFG
DeleteYou made me smile...2 years ago I felt the same way: ONLY I've never been an employee always an employer...had to find areal job at the age of 56! I was hired as a substitute on call cook for the school district. I had no trading and no idea what I was doing and every day I wanted to quit...within 2 months I was hired as a full-time cook..2 months later I was promoted to Head Cook for the district! Than goodness for GOOGLE...you can teach an old dog new tricks!
ReplyDeleteI am glad it worked out for you Lynda, thanks for the story.
DeleteBeen there done that, frighten as can be. I was told don't worry you know more then the supervisor. Sad thing was I did. He would worry about the little things. I looked at him and said one flight at a time. That was the second time I was hired for that job. Catering planes. A couple years later I was a shift supervisor and co-manager of the commissary. One day at a time. You got this..
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob
DeleteMDR,
ReplyDeleteDon't let the little things bother you. Take a deep breath! Let the little things pass by, you'll get the hang of them in due time.
You know the job, that's what counts.
That's true Sandy, thanks.
DeleteI think that feeling just goes with a new job, even the same one in a new location.
ReplyDeleteAdd in a different company and it makes it worse PP,
DeleteThanks for the comment
It's a real unsettling feeling when you start a new job, scary and exciting at the same time, even when you know what you are doing and can do it well. Give yourself a break, a couple of weeks down the line you will have it all squared up again :)
ReplyDeleteThanks dreamer
DeleteJust think of cooking chili, that will get you through it.
ReplyDeleteI only had two sponsors for that so I only have two more cook offs SBF
DeleteSame here, been there and done that...It feels terrible I know but your doing the right thing,give it a couple of weeks and all will be better.I did the same thing,the wife said give it 2 weeks and 17 years later I was still there and the manager.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anony, great story.
DeleteGood luck with the new job...I am sure after a month or so, you will feel like it's old hat.
ReplyDeleteI know I will SB, It just takes time.
DeleteI can totally relate, I work in construction too. Started a new job a few years back and I know Construction Accounting, Job Costing etc pretty well but everyone has their way of doing things. My favorite part was when a fellow employee tried to pawn his work off on me and told the owner wanted me to do it. Luckly the VP heard him and told me it was not true. I'm a pretty tough women so I told him a few choice things and he never tried that one again! Hang in there your know how and experience got you the job and I'm sure the your great abilities will help you grow and move up in your new job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the story betsy,
DeleteI hope they do.
I've always thought the best part of switching jobs is that you get to start with a blank slate again. You can reinvent yourself somewhat by using what you've learned and not repeating past mistakes. You can keep mum about details of your life that past coworkers knew about and drop the factoids that you want people to know you by, etc.
ReplyDeleteVery true Ed, I can be whoever I want now.
DeleteAs everyone else has said, You've GOT this! The only reason it's driving you crazy right now is because you haven't figured out how this company does everything yet and you know that NOT KNOWING is hampering your performance. That's all a good thing because it means you have ETHICS. That's a rare commodity in today's workforce. Your new employer was impressed enough to hire you and are smart enough to know they've got themselves a whizbang new employee once you figure all this stuff out. So relax and give yourself some credit!
ReplyDelete~HB
Well, this morning they are satisfied so far even though I don't know anything yet. I guess it's the questions I am asking.
DeleteWe will see in a month or so I guess.
Thanks for stopping by HB
Sometimes one must go down the road and leave behind security. If that source of security is not right for you then it is not worth staying for.
ReplyDeleteAfter all without peace of mind and a sense of self , what is left....
Good point Spud, I need to give this a couple of months before I make another decision.
Deletejust try not to get too worked up and say a prayer for some help along the way you will do fine
ReplyDelete