Taking an opportunity and leaping out of comfort zone
Discussion
Love the laptop pic. Thanks all.
I made an interesting out of office, said goodbye to my dept, said a specific goodbye to the arrogant person and left with a big smile on my face.
I have a few hot days in London and then it's the big first day at the new job.
I'll fake the confidence as much as I can.
I made an interesting out of office, said goodbye to my dept, said a specific goodbye to the arrogant person and left with a big smile on my face.
I have a few hot days in London and then it's the big first day at the new job.
I'll fake the confidence as much as I can.
Thanks all. Had a lovely but very hot time in London.
Had my first day at the new job yesterday. There is a lot to do! The company is in a complete mess IT wise. This week is all about going around the site and picking up the places where I need to initially focus on.
I must admit that it's a bit daunting and quite nerve wracking. I did have some 'oh crap, what have I done?' Moments yesterday. However, it's all new and is the first time this company and I have done this. I have woken up this morning with ideas and things I need to find out about to get things started though.
I've also already been given a phone and am expected to be picking calls up in a few weeks. Gulp!
I guess the main challenge will be overcoming some of the culture there. They don't really seem to have much training in place for IT equipment. They also seem to keep doing the wrong thing with devices too (like leaving hand scanners logged in etc). These are some of the first things I need to get sorted. They need some structure and some training.
Anyway, second day today and I'm heading off on the commute shortly. Will see what I can pick up today.
It's scary stuff.
Had my first day at the new job yesterday. There is a lot to do! The company is in a complete mess IT wise. This week is all about going around the site and picking up the places where I need to initially focus on.
I must admit that it's a bit daunting and quite nerve wracking. I did have some 'oh crap, what have I done?' Moments yesterday. However, it's all new and is the first time this company and I have done this. I have woken up this morning with ideas and things I need to find out about to get things started though.
I've also already been given a phone and am expected to be picking calls up in a few weeks. Gulp!
I guess the main challenge will be overcoming some of the culture there. They don't really seem to have much training in place for IT equipment. They also seem to keep doing the wrong thing with devices too (like leaving hand scanners logged in etc). These are some of the first things I need to get sorted. They need some structure and some training.
Anyway, second day today and I'm heading off on the commute shortly. Will see what I can pick up today.
It's scary stuff.
Tyre Tread said:
In a few weeks you'll look back and wonder what the hell you were worrying about.
Keep the faith!
I will do. Thanks. Keep the faith!
Had a very busy morning whizzing around some different departments. I'm getting a picture of where my time needs to be and what I need to learn about.
You can't beat a quick bit of lunchtime PH browsing at the new job though.
Has anyone else ever wondered if they have made a bad decision?
I'm mid way through my second week at the new job and it still feels quite hellish. I've had more time around site and am getting to know the people and what each department does. I still have a long way to go with the system knowledge though.
I've also started training on fixing common occurring problems (which there are a lot of as the systems are old on old equipment). However, my confidence is really, really struggling.
I still feel a bit bad about the job and have been wondering a lot lately about whether or not I have made a bad decision. I feel quite nervous when I arrive here in the morning and feel quite down through the day. Simple things seem to get me like my desk and chair setup. I'm constantly having to re-adjust my chair and just don't seem to be comfortable at my desk. Have an occupational health appointment on Tuesday though so should be able to discuss this then.
I do wonder if the stress (from the pressure I put on myself) and the nerves are making my back, neck and shoulders worse.
I do feel it was the right decision to leave my last job. I couldn't have stayed there as the place wasn't doing me any good. I'm just really worried that I'm going to be in a bad place here now.
I've discussed it at length with my lovely fiancee who says that I will be nervous and won't be confident for a while because it's all new. We have decided that it would be a good idea to stick at it for at least six months to see how I get on. You can't evaluate something new like this in a few weeks or months. I can't simply jack it in either because we have a baby on the way and a mortgage.
I was full of enthusiasm and excitement for this job. However, it seems to have gone.
The people here are fine. Well, most of them. I haven't yet met anyone as bad as the crowd I left behind at the other job. I guess that's a bonus. My issues must stem from the fact that I've never been IT manager before and have never had to deal with absolutely everything. I have flashes of confidence (yesterday was good), but they are few and far between.
Oh well. Will see how it goes over time. It's a shame I couldn't update this thread with loads of positive 'it's amazing, best thing I ever did comments'. I guess that's life though.
I'll post on here with any confidence inspiring updates. Cheerio all.
I'm mid way through my second week at the new job and it still feels quite hellish. I've had more time around site and am getting to know the people and what each department does. I still have a long way to go with the system knowledge though.
I've also started training on fixing common occurring problems (which there are a lot of as the systems are old on old equipment). However, my confidence is really, really struggling.
I still feel a bit bad about the job and have been wondering a lot lately about whether or not I have made a bad decision. I feel quite nervous when I arrive here in the morning and feel quite down through the day. Simple things seem to get me like my desk and chair setup. I'm constantly having to re-adjust my chair and just don't seem to be comfortable at my desk. Have an occupational health appointment on Tuesday though so should be able to discuss this then.
I do wonder if the stress (from the pressure I put on myself) and the nerves are making my back, neck and shoulders worse.
I do feel it was the right decision to leave my last job. I couldn't have stayed there as the place wasn't doing me any good. I'm just really worried that I'm going to be in a bad place here now.
I've discussed it at length with my lovely fiancee who says that I will be nervous and won't be confident for a while because it's all new. We have decided that it would be a good idea to stick at it for at least six months to see how I get on. You can't evaluate something new like this in a few weeks or months. I can't simply jack it in either because we have a baby on the way and a mortgage.
I was full of enthusiasm and excitement for this job. However, it seems to have gone.
The people here are fine. Well, most of them. I haven't yet met anyone as bad as the crowd I left behind at the other job. I guess that's a bonus. My issues must stem from the fact that I've never been IT manager before and have never had to deal with absolutely everything. I have flashes of confidence (yesterday was good), but they are few and far between.
Oh well. Will see how it goes over time. It's a shame I couldn't update this thread with loads of positive 'it's amazing, best thing I ever did comments'. I guess that's life though.
I'll post on here with any confidence inspiring updates. Cheerio all.
The fixation on the small stuff (desk & chair) is just part of the nerves. It's a diversion from thinking about the stuff you're worried about. (Diversion therapy)
It all seems overwhelming at the moment. Just ask yourself this: How do you eat an elephant (no, the answer is not with BBQ sauce) - A= one bite at a time.
Set yourself small goals - base them on your priorities - List them and tick them off as you go so that you get a sense of what you've achieved rather than being overwhelmed by what lies ahead.
Get some feedback from your boss. He may be delighted at your progress and its almost certain that its your own expectations that are making you feel the way you do.
Chin up man.
It all seems overwhelming at the moment. Just ask yourself this: How do you eat an elephant (no, the answer is not with BBQ sauce) - A= one bite at a time.
Set yourself small goals - base them on your priorities - List them and tick them off as you go so that you get a sense of what you've achieved rather than being overwhelmed by what lies ahead.
Get some feedback from your boss. He may be delighted at your progress and its almost certain that its your own expectations that are making you feel the way you do.
Chin up man.
Thanks Tyre.
Have set myself the small goals and discussed these with my manager last Friday. He said I had done well as I had (in less than a week) picked up most of the lingering issues that have been plaguing this company for a while, and I had some good new ideas.
I guess my problem is confidence related. Outwardly, people wouldn't know I have confidence issues. If I don't know plenty of things about something though, I worry. I also get a bad feeling about things. I do have a bit of a history of mental wellbeing issues, so am always on the edge of feeling bad. Thinking about it, I probably felt rotten for months at my old company. After six years though, I wasn't too bothered about the job.
I like the elephant analogy. Made me smile.
Interesting that the back and neck stuff is also some sort of mental diversion.
I haven't run away yet, so will see how it goes.
Thanks again for your reply.
Have set myself the small goals and discussed these with my manager last Friday. He said I had done well as I had (in less than a week) picked up most of the lingering issues that have been plaguing this company for a while, and I had some good new ideas.
I guess my problem is confidence related. Outwardly, people wouldn't know I have confidence issues. If I don't know plenty of things about something though, I worry. I also get a bad feeling about things. I do have a bit of a history of mental wellbeing issues, so am always on the edge of feeling bad. Thinking about it, I probably felt rotten for months at my old company. After six years though, I wasn't too bothered about the job.
I like the elephant analogy. Made me smile.
Interesting that the back and neck stuff is also some sort of mental diversion.
I haven't run away yet, so will see how it goes.
Thanks again for your reply.
No problem FR - I get to deal with this sort of issue a lot in my 'other' role.
You are in the habit of feeling bad at work. Guess what? You feel bad at work - might take a while to change and feel appreciated.
Take heart from the fact your boss is happy that you are picking stuff up that has been probelmatic. If, as a new boy, he tells you he's pleased, then he's really pleased. He just doesn't want your head to grow too big too soon
Hey, remember to fake it 'till you make it.
Go home, have a beer and reflecy on what you've achived. Come into work in the morning and make a plan and implement it. Even the longest journey etc....
Oh, btw, no elephants were harmed in the writing of this thread!
You are in the habit of feeling bad at work. Guess what? You feel bad at work - might take a while to change and feel appreciated.
Take heart from the fact your boss is happy that you are picking stuff up that has been probelmatic. If, as a new boy, he tells you he's pleased, then he's really pleased. He just doesn't want your head to grow too big too soon
Hey, remember to fake it 'till you make it.
Go home, have a beer and reflecy on what you've achived. Come into work in the morning and make a plan and implement it. Even the longest journey etc....
Oh, btw, no elephants were harmed in the writing of this thread!
Thanks again Tyre.
I'm intrigued as to what your 'other' role is.
Made a plan and am slowly working through it (as usual, I'm at the mercy of others). I guess I'm doing everything I can, I just feel bad. Will try to work on that and hope it settles down soon.
I can confirm that no elephants have been hurt too.
Cheerio.
I'm intrigued as to what your 'other' role is.
Made a plan and am slowly working through it (as usual, I'm at the mercy of others). I guess I'm doing everything I can, I just feel bad. Will try to work on that and hope it settles down soon.
I can confirm that no elephants have been hurt too.
Cheerio.
Got nothing really to add to what has already been said except stick with it for a bit. You are right to give it 6 months to let everything settle in.
Having played the role of employee and employer in my career so far, you exhibit a lot of very desirable traits, so please take comfort in the fact that you will be appreciated by good employers. Your previous lot were obviously a bad lot, and that will come back to bite them one way or another. If, after 6 months or so, you still feel the same, you can make plans, but it sounds like they are very impressed with you so far, and the nice thing is they have no previous knowledge of you so know nothing of your inner confidence issues. I have had the same things in the past, and as Tyre Tread says, just fake it. Put on a smile, make a small to do list for each week/day and try and methodically tick them off.
It gets easier, and it is just the "settling in" period at the moment which always feels a bit odd, for everyone.
Good luck, once again - chin up
Having played the role of employee and employer in my career so far, you exhibit a lot of very desirable traits, so please take comfort in the fact that you will be appreciated by good employers. Your previous lot were obviously a bad lot, and that will come back to bite them one way or another. If, after 6 months or so, you still feel the same, you can make plans, but it sounds like they are very impressed with you so far, and the nice thing is they have no previous knowledge of you so know nothing of your inner confidence issues. I have had the same things in the past, and as Tyre Tread says, just fake it. Put on a smile, make a small to do list for each week/day and try and methodically tick them off.
It gets easier, and it is just the "settling in" period at the moment which always feels a bit odd, for everyone.
Good luck, once again - chin up
Thanks Wing Commander.
Must admit that I feel a bit better today. Had a wonderful chat with my fiancee this morning who echoed what you and Tyre said above.
Some great advice on this thread. Thanks all.
Oh yes, have had a few emails from a friend of mine who works at the old company. Apparently, they are having problems. My old senior colleague has broken some things, two people fell out about getting the job which was part of my old one, they apparently swarmed my old desk as I was leaving the site and the attitude still stinks.
Also, one of them has made boo boo that has cost the company £10k. Blimey!
Regardless of everything going on here, I am glad I left the old place.
On a more positive note, I've enquired this morning about my paternity leave. Have decided to take one week paternity and one week holiday. We should be ok with financially. That leaves me with just over two weeks to take before the end of March, after my two weeks in Sept/Oct.
Must admit that I feel a bit better today. Had a wonderful chat with my fiancee this morning who echoed what you and Tyre said above.
Some great advice on this thread. Thanks all.
Oh yes, have had a few emails from a friend of mine who works at the old company. Apparently, they are having problems. My old senior colleague has broken some things, two people fell out about getting the job which was part of my old one, they apparently swarmed my old desk as I was leaving the site and the attitude still stinks.
Also, one of them has made boo boo that has cost the company £10k. Blimey!
Regardless of everything going on here, I am glad I left the old place.
On a more positive note, I've enquired this morning about my paternity leave. Have decided to take one week paternity and one week holiday. We should be ok with financially. That leaves me with just over two weeks to take before the end of March, after my two weeks in Sept/Oct.
I've been in my new role for 5 weeks now and I'm just starting to feel like this was maybe a good idea. In my case the job is pretty much what I've done before just a different title but some of the people have made my first few weeks pretty crap and I've been through the whole 'oh god what have I done' thing.
This week it's finally starting to feel like it might all come good. Definitely give it much more time before you start looking elsewhere. These things really do take time but I'm sure it will sort it's self out.
You can learn the job and as long as you're improving quickly I'm sure they will be understanding of the fact that it's all new to both sides. Be honest with your boss so that he understands and can help. They took you on because they thought you had potential so remember that when your feeling like your overwhelmed.
This week it's finally starting to feel like it might all come good. Definitely give it much more time before you start looking elsewhere. These things really do take time but I'm sure it will sort it's self out.
You can learn the job and as long as you're improving quickly I'm sure they will be understanding of the fact that it's all new to both sides. Be honest with your boss so that he understands and can help. They took you on because they thought you had potential so remember that when your feeling like your overwhelmed.
Well, my job has come to an end. But, I'm looking at contract work, which I have a few things lined up, as well as some interviews for full time positions.
I'm sure I'll go through the same motions, you really are me 4 weeks in the future!
Stay strong and keep at it, I'm sure it's the right thing to do.
I'm sure I'll go through the same motions, you really are me 4 weeks in the future!
Stay strong and keep at it, I'm sure it's the right thing to do.
I've read this thread with interest as someone who has never been through any of the issues faced by seemingly so many, especially the OP.
Following college I only ever worked in temporary roles and they were brief service desk type positions. Before too long I was dragged into contracting from which I haven't looked back since. To be fair unless it was an absolute emergency I just couldn't envisage ever having to go through the pain of permiedom and all the politics and such like that seems to dominate.
Sure when trying to impose big IT change on permies who have pressed the same prescribed three keys for 30yrs it can get a bit heated but if it gets ridiculous it is easy to leave. I'm yet to take this course of action BTW.
I hope it all works out for you all as you spend a long time working and for it to be miserable most of the time can't be good for mental health.
Following college I only ever worked in temporary roles and they were brief service desk type positions. Before too long I was dragged into contracting from which I haven't looked back since. To be fair unless it was an absolute emergency I just couldn't envisage ever having to go through the pain of permiedom and all the politics and such like that seems to dominate.
Sure when trying to impose big IT change on permies who have pressed the same prescribed three keys for 30yrs it can get a bit heated but if it gets ridiculous it is easy to leave. I'm yet to take this course of action BTW.
I hope it all works out for you all as you spend a long time working and for it to be miserable most of the time can't be good for mental health.
Anonamoose said:
I've been in my new role for 5 weeks now and I'm just starting to feel like this was maybe a good idea. In my case the job is pretty much what I've done before just a different title but some of the people have made my first few weeks pretty crap and I've been through the whole 'oh god what have I done' thing.
This week it's finally starting to feel like it might all come good. Definitely give it much more time before you start looking elsewhere. These things really do take time but I'm sure it will sort it's self out.
You can learn the job and as long as you're improving quickly I'm sure they will be understanding of the fact that it's all new to both sides. Be honest with your boss so that he understands and can help. They took you on because they thought you had potential so remember that when your feeling like your overwhelmed.
Thanks. Glad it's working out for you.This week it's finally starting to feel like it might all come good. Definitely give it much more time before you start looking elsewhere. These things really do take time but I'm sure it will sort it's self out.
You can learn the job and as long as you're improving quickly I'm sure they will be understanding of the fact that it's all new to both sides. Be honest with your boss so that he understands and can help. They took you on because they thought you had potential so remember that when your feeling like your overwhelmed.
I am still only at the end of my second week, so I can't expect to be an expert on everything yet (even though users expect me to be).
illmonkey said:
Well, my job has come to an end. But, I'm looking at contract work, which I have a few things lined up, as well as some interviews for full time positions.
I'm sure I'll go through the same motions, you really are me 4 weeks in the future!
Stay strong and keep at it, I'm sure it's the right thing to do.
Thanks. Good luck with the job search. Keep us updated. I'm sure I'll go through the same motions, you really are me 4 weeks in the future!
Stay strong and keep at it, I'm sure it's the right thing to do.
Mephistofleas said:
I've read this thread with interest as someone who has never been through any of the issues faced by seemingly so many, especially the OP.
Following college I only ever worked in temporary roles and they were brief service desk type positions. Before too long I was dragged into contracting from which I haven't looked back since. To be fair unless it was an absolute emergency I just couldn't envisage ever having to go through the pain of permiedom and all the politics and such like that seems to dominate.
Sure when trying to impose big IT change on permies who have pressed the same prescribed three keys for 30yrs it can get a bit heated but if it gets ridiculous it is easy to leave. I'm yet to take this course of action BTW.
I hope it all works out for you all as you spend a long time working and for it to be miserable most of the time can't be good for mental health.
Thanks.Following college I only ever worked in temporary roles and they were brief service desk type positions. Before too long I was dragged into contracting from which I haven't looked back since. To be fair unless it was an absolute emergency I just couldn't envisage ever having to go through the pain of permiedom and all the politics and such like that seems to dominate.
Sure when trying to impose big IT change on permies who have pressed the same prescribed three keys for 30yrs it can get a bit heated but if it gets ridiculous it is easy to leave. I'm yet to take this course of action BTW.
I hope it all works out for you all as you spend a long time working and for it to be miserable most of the time can't be good for mental health.
The big new system update will be a large challenge. However, I do have specific experience of developing and installing new systems, so I hope that helps.
I guess my immediate worries have been around the fact that it's new, I don't yet know the systems and I am the only person employed by the company with IT in my role name.
I'm hoping I get there. Will see if I'm still here in six months.
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