How to pick up speed at new job after a REALLY nice vacation
November 8, 2021 10:48 PM Subscribe
Today was my first day at a new job after an absolutely blissful two week vacation. One of the reasons I never took vacations in the past is that I lose my work momentum and become extremely stressed about my ability to perform once I've returned. I just don't know how to retain the relaxation I felt during vacation and use it to ramp things up slowly. What do you recommend? The past few weeks were maybe the first time I have been really happy in years. I don't want that joy to go away.
I generally try to take one long vacation a year where I objectively don't spend a lot of time working but in a different location. In my experience, it always takes a few days to get back up to normal focus and speed afterwards. Nothing wrong with that.
As to how to embed good habits so you don't get burned out long-term - you are literally starting a new job and have the opportunity to set expectations with your new employer and team. If you don't respond out of hrs nobody is going to notice that as a change so don't respond etc. Figure out what you would consider sustainable and work to that.
Bear in mind that in a new job, you have to spend time taking things in and finding your feet as well so you will feel as if you're slower for a while. That doesn't mean you're not performing, it means you're learning and even simple things are going to be a bit of an operation because whilst you know how to do something you don't know how to do it within the new systems or policies.
If you find there is a fundamental mismatch between what they want long-term and what you'd consider sustainable you know this job won't be a good fit long-term and move on.
posted by koahiatamadl at 1:18 AM on November 9, 2021 [4 favorites]
As to how to embed good habits so you don't get burned out long-term - you are literally starting a new job and have the opportunity to set expectations with your new employer and team. If you don't respond out of hrs nobody is going to notice that as a change so don't respond etc. Figure out what you would consider sustainable and work to that.
Bear in mind that in a new job, you have to spend time taking things in and finding your feet as well so you will feel as if you're slower for a while. That doesn't mean you're not performing, it means you're learning and even simple things are going to be a bit of an operation because whilst you know how to do something you don't know how to do it within the new systems or policies.
If you find there is a fundamental mismatch between what they want long-term and what you'd consider sustainable you know this job won't be a good fit long-term and move on.
posted by koahiatamadl at 1:18 AM on November 9, 2021 [4 favorites]
The absolute best thing I did when I started this job I have now was to set firm, clear boundaries. I do not put my work on my phone, I do not check my emails outside of work hours, I close my computer/go home at 5, my personal time belongs to me. I also scheduled the last 15-20 minutes of every day just to update my to do list.
What this did was give me a buffer--clear to both myself and others--between my job and my life. Everyone just learned that I simply would not be available to them outside of work, period.
That started when I was a lowly office admin with minimal responsibilities. And I've been able to maintain those boundaries into my current role where my responsibilities are extremely critical and demanding. There are times when I have to work past 5, there are times when I do need to send an email or two on a Saturday, but those are still a rare exception and not the norm. I'm open with my boss and team about my workload and time-to-deliver expectations, keeping my work at work time and not eroding into my personal time.
I started at this job after a job where I reported to three different sucky bosses at the same time who had no problem calling me at all hours to be horrible to me. For years. It made me determined to put my foot down the next time.
Respect yourself first and other people will have no choice but to fall in line.
(Also, give yourself a break. Learning a new job takes time. No one expects you to be a superstar your first week. Hiring is hard and they wouldn't have brought you on if they didn't like you. You have time here.)
posted by phunniemee at 4:46 AM on November 9, 2021 [9 favorites]
What this did was give me a buffer--clear to both myself and others--between my job and my life. Everyone just learned that I simply would not be available to them outside of work, period.
That started when I was a lowly office admin with minimal responsibilities. And I've been able to maintain those boundaries into my current role where my responsibilities are extremely critical and demanding. There are times when I have to work past 5, there are times when I do need to send an email or two on a Saturday, but those are still a rare exception and not the norm. I'm open with my boss and team about my workload and time-to-deliver expectations, keeping my work at work time and not eroding into my personal time.
I started at this job after a job where I reported to three different sucky bosses at the same time who had no problem calling me at all hours to be horrible to me. For years. It made me determined to put my foot down the next time.
Respect yourself first and other people will have no choice but to fall in line.
(Also, give yourself a break. Learning a new job takes time. No one expects you to be a superstar your first week. Hiring is hard and they wouldn't have brought you on if they didn't like you. You have time here.)
posted by phunniemee at 4:46 AM on November 9, 2021 [9 favorites]
You’re new! You won’t be load bearing for a bit—revel in that and be choosy about what you take on (where you can). I’m so glad that you had a wonderful vacation and hope you can carry those good vibes through in your new role!
posted by alcopop at 12:19 AM on November 10, 2021
posted by alcopop at 12:19 AM on November 10, 2021
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I did start seeing both a career coach and a therapist during my big vacation, and together they've helped me feel secure in prioritizing whatever reduces my stress and whatever increases my resilience.
posted by xueexueg at 11:38 PM on November 8, 2021 [5 favorites]