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How to handle a new job and the doubts you're not good enough? I've started a support worker job and all the information seems so daunting I'm scared I'll screw up hugely.

10 Answers
Last Updated: 01/15/2023 at 1:55am
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Moderated by

Paola Giordani, Psychoanalyst

Licensed Psychoanalyst

I have helped and am helping people cope with loss, divorce, anguish and parenting. Depression is also a major issue that comes up.

Top Rated Answers
Benz13
April 14th, 2021 12:21pm
To have doubts when you are new at something/some work is absolutely normal and the unfamiliar environment only adds in to the pressure but try to get through nervousness without being excessively friendly or excessively strict. Put in some hard work in your work and in yourself to build confidence. That's the best and the only way to build confidence. Have good boundaries to yourself and relax in everyday life . Try to relax yourself in general. That'll help you a lot when your doubtful of yourself the next time. New work does seem challenging but if you work your way up to handling that job by breaking them down in little pieces you'll be good at it. You definitely won't screw up!!
Sunisshiningandsoareyou
August 3rd, 2021 4:58pm
Hey hey so brave of you to reach out through your question. I hear you, starting new things specially a new job can be particularly daunting with the new atmosphere, wanting to give your best and not make any mistakes. Your feelings are valid, it can be hard to assure ourselves that we are doing great or that we will be good enough for the job. First of all, a congratulations for your new job, I assume getting that job wouldn't have been easy ~ passing through different qualification requirements and screening tests through the recruitment process, but since you already got it~ it does mean the HR / officials thought you were a good fit for the job and after assessment they deem you worthy of the work and tasks. Maybe reassuring yourself that if the recruiters find you suitable maybe you really are good for it. As for fear about screwing up, it is very valid to feel worried and anxious, however it's a good reminder that mistakes are the way to learn ~ we can always ask questions or seek support for our role in the workplace when there's any doubt or if we need something to ease in our work. Rest assured, you will be trying your best to keep up and that is super enough, with time ofcourse you'll be able to adjust better and things will ease up on their own. You got this, one day at a time. 💛
IntheGardenGrows
March 30th, 2021 10:56am
It is alright to be worried or scared about your new job, it means it is important to you. But the important thing for you to do is to not let that fear stop you from doing your best. We all have to start somewhere. There will always be a learning process and it is inevitable that there will be mistakes here and there. That is how we learn. Focus on why you wanted to do this job in the first place. Remember, you did not get where you are now by pure coincidence. You have achieved all this by your own hard work, so trust in your own abilities, you are good enough.
JustLondon
June 20th, 2021 5:55am
I think it's normal to have the fears that you're expressing. A new job can be daunting! Meeting all of your coworkers, learning all of the work policies and procedures, and then actually doing your job. One thing that may help you is to know that your employer selected YOU. They may have interviewed hundreds of people to find you, or perhaps only a handful, but they chose you for your education, training, experience, or personality. They believed in you or they wouldn't have invested the time and energy to train you, and they certainly wouldn't be paying you if they didn't believe you were worth the investment. I think accepting your fear and doing it anyway is probably the best advice I could give. You've already got the job because they had confidence in your ability to do well, so now it's up to you to prove them right by believing in yourself. If you spend less time worrying about messing up, and more time thinking about everything you did well that day, you might see that your thought process will change over time. How about starting a What Went Well list, where you write down 3 things that went well each day? I have done this for years and it really helped me to change my focus and become a more positive oriented person. It is also empirically known, that by writing down just 3 positive things per day, for 21 days, you can rewire your brain to think differently.
MrFaust
January 15th, 2023 1:55am
It sounds like you are feeling a lot of pressure and it is understandable that you are feeling overwhelmed by the new job. It is natural to have doubts and worries about our abilities when taking on something new. It helps to recognize that doubt does not always mean that you aren't capable of succeeding. Even if those doubts do arise, it is important to remember that there are strategies that you can employ to help manage these feelings of doubt. One strategy is to keep an open dialogue with your supervisor and colleagues so that you can ask any and all questions when needed, as well as express your feelings of doubt or apprehension. Additionally, take advantage of any training sessions or resources offered to you through your job. This can be a great way to get up to speed and feel more confident in what you are doing. Finally, try to manage any stress or anxiety around this situation by making sure to practice self-care. This can include activities such as exercise, meditation, and even taking breaks to emotionally walk away from the situation when needed. Most importantly, give yourself permission to make mistakes and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow. With dedication and support, you can do this!
ouiCherie
July 9th, 2021 7:04am
Yes, I understand. New jobs often require us to learn again, to adapt, and to adjust. In a situation like this, we may feel uneasy, anxious, or unconfident about our abilities. Dr. Katharine Brooks, director of Liberal Arts Career Services, University of Texas said in Forbes Magazine that a healthy level of confidence will make you more likely to engage in challenging but manageable projects, will help you get outside your comfort zone, and allow you to achieve new goals The following are tips on how to feel confident at work: 1. Stay focus on you, Tasks and instructions are important, but so is your overall health. Self-care improves self-esteem and confidence. 2. Identify your strength, use it to continue strengthen it. 3. Identify your weaknesses, and work on them. 4. Believe in yourself. Daily affirmations and positive self-talk may help you build trust in yourself. 5. Every time a box is checked on a to do list, it will create a sense of accomplishment. Small wins matter and this will help boost your confidence. You are very welcome to join The Self-Care Lounge on Relationship Support sub community
MidwesternCalmSeeker
June 24th, 2022 12:08am
I'm going to share something someone told me long ago, at a time when I had been working in a new position for about 3 weeks, feeling very much the same as you describe. No matter what you did before, this is a brand new job, and the situation is different than what you did. It IS a lot of new information, so you are "drinking from the fire hose" at this time. Your supervisor or manager probably remembers feeling the same when they started at that company. Even changing jobs within the same company can feel stressful, because you are in a new environment with new co-workers and new duties. It's a lot to take in, learn and start to feel a sense of comfort with. You can admit that you feel overwhelmed. It's not a sign of failure. Instead it shows you care about doing your best and being your best. Consider talking to your co-workers and asking them what the biggest challenge was back when they started the job. It may make you feel a little better, especially if they had the same doubts you do. You might also talk to your boss and let them know how important the job is to you, and that you'd like some feedback. That person may also help you feel more comfortable about the expected learning curve.
HopefulBambi
August 28th, 2022 9:43pm
Congratulations on your new job! When you first start something, especially a rather big milestone such as a new job, the thoughts of not doing good enough or fear of disappointing your employer or co-workers is completely normal. A lot of people go through, myself included sometimes! Remember that everyone was in your same shoes at one point or another, and this is totally new information you're consuming right now. It will take time, but you'll get it down. If you're really concerned about messing up with something important, a fellow co-worker or supervisor are just a moments notice away. Take one step at a time, you'll do great!
Anonymous
August 26th, 2021 1:17am
It's understandable to feel doubtful and insecure when starting a new job. When dealing with all new information all at once, it can be overwhelming. You have the right to feel this way. I even feel this way whenever there's a lot of new change going on in a work environment. It's okay, because your employer thinks you're good enough to be hired, and I think that your employer has been where you were and would be understanding of your feelings. If you do fail at something, learn from it. Sometimes people learn better from failures than lectures. You will be alright.
Anonymous
August 27th, 2021 1:35pm
Almost everyone is never successful on their first try, no matter how hard they try. It is perfectly normal make a mistake, learn from it, and grow. This is why it is a good idea to consider meeting a few of your co-workers ahead of time. A strong bond will urge them to possibly be there for you when you may be in doubt or in flaw. If you don't see many co-workers who seem fit to do so, try considering talking to people who are in a similar workforce. Perhaps they have a few tips they might want to share. Overall, I believe that you can work through your daunting first couple of weeks because you are a strong character.