Starting A New Job: What You Need To Know To Succeed (Career Savvy)

You have to do the work.

And you know what? It feels good to do that. It feels justified and reasonable and like you are doing the right thing for yourself. When you stop making excuses, you can start owning the direction that you are going in—and, if need be, have the willpower to change that direction.

But, you also have to know when to leave and when to take the time to take care of your body, your health, and your emotional and social well-being. We have seen artists sacrifice both of these in the name of their craft. But, you need your body on the most basic of levels to create your work. Successful artists know that their success is a marathon and not a sprint, so you need to maintain your health to stay in the game. Make time in your schedule to stretch, exercise, go for walks, cook healthy meals and have conversations with your peers, family, and friends.

Artist and creator of The Savvy Painter , Antrese Wood, points to these toxic relationships as holding artists back from reaching their potential. We can choose who to listen to and what advice to take. You may have heard the adage that we are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with. Spend it with those that push you to succeed, those that have succeeded as an artist and those that inspire you to do so. Not all advice is created equal. This goes hand-in-hand with the fear of failure. Artists who obsess on the need to make everything perfect often are afraid of failure. But, the irony in this is that they then fail to ever put anything out there.

Plus, I'd still have to go home each evening and work on edits for my latest book. This wasn't going to work. The next morning, I arrived at work at 7 a. I thanked him for the opportunity, but told him I would not be staying. I knew that there had been hundreds of applicants, so this seemed likely. I also remember I added: My first priority afterward was an apology phone call to the employee who had highlighted my application for me. Then, I got down to business.

I had my savings, but I'd been assuming I'd be getting this paycheck. So, economic fear lit a fire under me. I hadn't really thought of this as a business before--but now, I started accepting clients for the first time. Some of the work was fascinating, other parts less so, but it more than paid the bills.

Eventually, I built it into a real, lucrative business that could be done from anywhere. To be clear, quitting a job soon after starting is risky. So, even though I hope you never need this advice--here's what I'd say to do if you accept a new job and realize quickly that it's a bad fit:. If you're percent certain you're not going to last at a new job, I think it's better to make the decision and act quickly.

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It's better for you, and it's also better for the employer, who at least hasn't yet invested much time and money in you. Better to rip off the band aid, so to speak, and let them ultimately meet some new coworkers. You should also be making sure you cross every t and dot every i. Think of your first month as a trial period. During this time, you're still being tested, and you want an A. How do things work? Who are the people you need to know?

Who are the heads of the different departments, and what do they do? What are the challenges of the company?

What are the strengths? Become the most inquisitive employee you can, and take notes. Learn from the people that have been at the company for years, but remember to take some comments with caution. Jaded employees can inaccurately color your view of the company. Also, don't be afraid to watch how people do certain tasks. Ask if you can shadow them; most of the time, they'll be flattered that you want their expertise. Job descriptions are all well and good, but once you have the position, you may find out that reality is a little different from perception.

The employer may have painted a glowing picture of the company, but it might not really be all smooth sailing. Also, managers and interviewers are only human, and may have forgotten a few of your duties.

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So, make sure you sit down with your supervisor as soon as you can after starting in your new position, and find out exactly what is required of you. Do you have to submit reports, and if so, when? How will your daily duties be assessed? What standards are you required to meet? Get it all down, and if possible, get your boss to acknowledge it. Whether you're working in a massive corporation or a mom 'n' pop shop, you need to make an effort to get to know people.

Do it sooner rather than later, otherwise you may come across as anti-social or aloof. You don't have to be the life and soul of the department, but find the time to introduce yourself to the people you'll be working with on a regular basis. Learn about their roles, and how you can help each other out. You're not looking to make best friends, you're simply laying the foundation for a good working relationship.

If possible, ask for an organization chart from human resources or your supervisor, so that you can see how you fit into the company. The first month may present unexpected challenges, but you have to take them all in stride. You've only been on the job around 30 days, so you really haven't had the time or experiences to become jaded and downtrodden. Remember, you are fresh blood and there will be an expectation for you to inject new life into the department. So, approach your job with zeal and energy, and try to turn every challenge into an opportunity.

The honeymoon period is over. Now, you're part of the team and should know what you're doing. By now, your employer will expect to see you start walking the talk you gave in the interview. In many ways, this is your make-it-or-break-it milestone. After three months, you'll have a pretty good lay of the land. Now, if you haven't already done so, you need to connect with someone that can really help you get ahead in the company. This is not about sucking up or finding cliques to cover your back.