I’m spilling all of the corporate tea in this “Ask Breakroom Buddha” series.
If you have a career question that you’d like me to answer send your question here! You might be featured on the next Ask Breakroom Buddha post!
Question: I’m in my very first job, and I’m extremely anxious. Do you have any advice on how I can shake my nerves?
Being Anxious Will Get You Nowhere
This is a really good reminder! I remember my friends and I would chat about having panic attacks at work when we first graduated. Having mini panic attacks because you’re always on edge or anxious at work is not good. You’re most likely not saving lives in the current job you’re doing, so take your time and slowly problem-solve.
Remember this:
- One second at a time
- One minute at a time
- One hour at a time
- One day at a time
Try saying this line by line when you’re going through a tough time at work. I say this all the time, and after doing that I’m a little calmer and focused on the task at hand. If you ever need to be reminded, play the clip below. Bookmark this page, so that you can quickly find it.
Don’t Try to Be Olivia Pope
You don’t need to be the sole fixer all the time. You’re not Oliva Pope, and that’s okay!
Learn to communicate what you need help with instead of holding it in. Holding things in or trying to solve everything when you don’t have all the answers feeds into your anxiety and is one of the reasons you might feel overwhelmed all the time. I promise that whatever challenge you’re running into, there’s a solution, and there is someone on your team who can help you solve it.
Remember this: Always try to figure out how to work smarter, not harder!
This Will Not Be Your First Rodeo
My mom used to remind me all the time, that the first job I work will never be my last. I’m here to drop that wisdom on you as well. We change and evolve, and with that so will our line of work. So knowing this should bring you some peace of mind.
Remember this: Enjoy where you are, but also realize that you have a full life to live. You will be fine.
To Go Hard or To Quiet Quit…That is the Question
There are times when you’ll need to go hard and go above and beyond. This is how you learn. There will also be times when you need to chill and just do the job you were hired to do. This is how you avoid burnout. Learn how to balance those two things.
Find a Hobby…Seriously.
Work is work, and life is life. I know it’s tempting to take your work problems home, but please don’t! Learn how to separate the two, and you’ll be just fine. Also, find a hobby! It’ll help you take your mind off of work.
Related: Use this quiz to find a hobby that fits your interests.
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