Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Out of the zone

How did I get here? I appear to be out of my comfort zone and dipping my toes in the sea of uncertainty. It's scary and exciting at the same time. You see, this week is the first week in my new job.

I know the physical sequence of events that led me here of course. I applied for the job, I attended the interview and I accepted the job, ergo I am now here. But part of me wonders why I am here. Again. What makes me keep jumping out of the nice comfortable metaphorical sofa into the deep blue unknown?

Starting a new job is never easy. There is a new culture to integrate into which involves getting a feel for all those tacit value systems, there are a whole new set of acronyms and 'in speak' to make sense of, systems and processes to learn and personalities to fathom. Then there is the actual work, a whole new set of skills and knowledge to learn. And therein lies the crux of the matter. I like to learn. If I stay in one place too long then I stagnate. The comfortable sofa starts to become suffocating and I long to get up off it and start the next adventure.

I have no idea what this job has in store for me but I do know it will challenge and stretch me. I know it will sometimes be trying, but I also know that the present confusion and fear I am feeling will pass as I become more familiar with what is expected of me and as I find my niche in my new team. I'm feeling the fear and doing it anyway and it feels good.

16 comments:

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

As someone who also moves out of her zone frequently, we do it because its pays off and, as you say, feels good.

Sleepypete said...

Have the new people taken you round the team yet ?

That's something we can struggle in at the project I work in. Some groups are better than others there. It's partly for the new person, partly for the team you've joined ... Cos while there may be too many faces for the new person to remember, it's just one for the team.

Because we've had a few who haven't been introduced, the rest of the team doesn't have a clue who they are, so they don't think of them when they should be ...

Good luck in the new job :-) Hopefully you'll integrate in there quickly :-)

kenju said...

Good for you, Bob-kat! I Have no doubt that you'll so well in any situation!

craziequeen said...

See - As you know, I don't do well in a changing environment. I am more content in the familiar, comforting surroundings that I know. I don't like new things, new places or new people......

But I know you thrive on challenge - so you should do really well [big grin]

cq

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new job.

I always comforted myself with the thought that in two or three months, it'll seem like you've been there forever.

Good luck!

Cheers.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Good luck :) I hope you enjoy yourself there!

JAM said...

I hear ya, I keep getting booted out of the comfort zone too.

A new job is never easy, I've never had loads of self confidence.

Best of luck to you!

Dianne said...

I hope you know by now how much I admire you :)
Your courage comes through in many of your posts.

Anytime I stretch my experiences and take a plunge I'm always glad I did.

Best of luck - enjoy all the newness :)

Melody said...

The unknown is always scary.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

It is so interestimg to me that you begin to feel like you will be smothered or like "you want out" when you get to comfortable in your comfort zone...Fascinating. Why? Because the differences in people are always completely fascinating to me!
I wish you much Great Good Luck in this new scary job, my dear. And as you said, it won't be that scary once you get on to the 'ins and outs' of this new place.

MaR said...

Congratulations! you'll do just fine.
Love the cartoon :)

rashbre said...

And never forget that you also bring your existing skills, experience and values into the new team. Should be a two way street.

Good luck in the new endeavour.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Just checking in to see how the NEW Job is coming along...! You are in my thoughts, my dear B-K...And I hope it is going well!

Moon said...

Oh good luck with the new job!! New jobs, are as scary as they are exilerating!! Every new job I ever started..after the first day, I always dreamed that whole night, I was still doing the job...literally, sitting up in bed, and doing what ever it was, OVER AND OVER AND OVER again lol...my very first job at age 13, spent all night doing resturant dishes lol...and so on...over all these yrs of different jobs it NEVER failed lol...I did it to this current job even, 13 yrs ago, when my first mentally handicapped adult came to live with me ..being a foster family, I talked and showed him all sorts of things that first night...and still havent stopped lol...Good luck...enjoy and keep us posted!!

Shephard said...

Feel the fear and do it anyway. I know that book. Good for you! :)
~S

Anonymous said...

I ssoooo understand what you're talking about BK. You're going to do exceedingly well and then it will be time for another change.