Work Hacks: The Good, the bad, and the Ugly. Part 2

Overcoming the First Few Months of Landing a New Job

I am pretty excited to have you back!

It is actually difficult to exist in a place where at a point you become too unsure of the reason why you find yourself there at the first instant. Also, most of our self confidence can be built when our mindset is so strong that our courage can tear down a brick wall. Finally, most helpless situation we find ourselves in could experience a soft landing due to the fact that we have few kind colleagues, institutions and family members around us who would stop at nothing when it comes to lending a helping hand towards our self actualisation or successss in life.

Without taking much of your time, let's dive right into it.

The Risk Sphere

Some people are of the opinion that it is a woman's world, while others say that it is a man's world, but we all know that it is no body's world. There are real challenges mostly faced by each gender, but it is still factual that as humans, we always find a means of navigating through the maze of life. 

Let's see how Precious was able to handle her first few months at work.

The first few most, I was excited, grateful, lonely, scared , but most importantly, eager to learn. At a point, I doubted if I could do the job because of its demands and dedication.

I was able to pull through by studying the environment, and I tried as much as possible to make new friends. Also, by recognizing my areas of weakness, I was ready to improve on them.

The motivation was cultivated from the fact that if career women out there can do it, then Precious can too. Also, I have my mentors who I look up to like Veronica Onoja, Oluseye Odiyi, Ibukun Awosika, Tara durotoye, Okonjo Iweala, etc.

Bamidele, Precious Taye,

Risk Analyst,

Lagos.

Bamiprecy@gmail.com

The Law is Blind

The law profession is one service to humanity that is unique in its own way: in most cases, it involves saving lives, sending criminals behind bars in terms of saving the rest of humanity, and then safeguarding lives and property. It is one which drills one through the fire to come out to prove themselves worthy. 

Lets look at Ndidi's first few months....

After a memorable day of Call to the Bar ceremony and celebrations, I have finally crossed the finish line. Goal achieved and mission accomplished. The future seems bright in my eyes.

The first day at the office was great. I met my seniors and colleagues, who made me feel relaxed and welcomed.

Most of the anxiety surrounding the first day at work emanates from the fact that employees have a heightened need to impress the boss, but my key word is to relax and allow things play out naturally.

My greatest motivation is having the opportunity to help someone who desperately needs my assistance.

Aballa, Ndidi Rita

Associate partner,

Owerri(IMO).

ndidiballa@gmail.com

Management

This is an emotional one. In order to explore life in another part of the world, this young man is met with obstacles beyond his imagination. 

Adichie in Americanah shared a similar story. Also know that such experience is never the same with everyone.

For me , it wasn’t fun nor easy. I lived in Regina, a city very different from the metropolitan Toronto. At that time, people hadn’t seen that much influx of immigrants and they felt semi-compelled to employ them. They apparently struggled with my accent, and my way of handling issues. This is mostly because I am a calm person who wouldn’t suck up to people, but that felt Alien to the Saskatchewan-Canadian way. Most of my colleagues preferred to play to the gallery, to be in the boss's good book. Simply put, I struggled a lot psychologically in my first days or months.

However, there were few Nigerians in the company, and they were very supportive in those days.  They helped me through it all: they knew more about my boss and showed me how to navigate her, which I found pretty simple at last. Eventually, I got used to it all

I lost my self confidence at a point: some people I encountered back then were mean gossips, and I knew they were struggling with my personality. I don't blame them though. I was struggling to integrate myself into the the system too. This experience partly influenced my leaving Saskatchewan for Toronto.

I had no motivation. My self confidence was shattered at that point. The office was about 20 minutes walk from my house. The job wasn’t anything I hadn’t dealt with before, but everyday on my way to work, I had my heart in my mouth, wondering how I was going to be judged because I was different. I felt it started affecting my well-being so I decided to stop. However, I must state this was my experience. I can also state that not everyone had the same experience, that I am sure.

I always spoke to my wife. Lol. I was also very active in my Nigerian church then so I had a fun life outside work. However, once I got into that environment, it was a different story. Anyways, I bounced out of it by leaving that job. Haven’t felt that way again. When I got my next job, I did my bit to adjust stuff about myself, and also because of my experience, I understood them better.

It’s really crazy when you are in a toxic environment. What it can do to one could be far reaching. Environments like that only kill someone regardless of how much that person earns.

Anonymous,

Canada.

I hope you enjoyed every bit of this read. Kindly leave a comment or share your experience too.

Cheers!