Have you ever been too embarrassed to admit you didn’t know something or how to do something?
*Raises hand*. Me too!!!
I have been there. I try not to do that anymore.
I don’t get embarrassed to admit I don’t know something anymore. No one knows everything. I realized it was my pride that was an issue. I was worried people would think I was stupid. I don’t worry anymore about people thinking I’m stupid for not knowing how everything works. It really freed me to let go of my ego and pride!
This is the scenario: I started a new job (several years ago) and and was having a difficult time adjusting to everything.These are the lessons I learned after working in a new office setting that I want to share.
- I learned to not give up on myself. Don’t give up on learning things too soon. Don’t be a quitter.
- I learned to not let my insecurities get to me.
- I learned to communicate with my co-workers or managers when I was having trouble. Don’t let your pride get in the way. I got so busy trying to prove I did know certain things…even when I didn’t know certain things...and I made mistakes.
- I learned to make sure to smile more…be more excited about things. It’s not that I don’t get excited but I just think people misunderstand my behavior and my facial expressions. I may look “annoyed” but I’m probably not.
- I learned to offer up some personal information about myself so I seem personable. Yet, don’t offer up too much personal information that can be used against you later.
- Learn as much as you can while you are at your job. My Dad taught me to learn something new every day.
- If you have ideas about how to make a process better – discuss it with your manager/supervisor. Don’t keep that information to yourself. Plus, it will make you look good! The main part to this is to talk to a leader about your ideas ASAP and have some documentation with you to prove it was YOUR idea. Do not discuss it with a co-worker first because they may take that idea and claim it as their own. I have seem it happen too many times. Plus, it has been done to me too many times.
- Be a team player!
- Understand that communication is EVERYTHING! If you feel like you are being misunderstand by someone – talk to that person as soon as possible and get everything cleared up. Everyone has different personalities…so someone may react to a situation differently than you. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. Have one-on-ones with your supervisor/manager/director so they know your thoughts on the job and so you can get their thoughts on your performance WAY before any evaluation. This shows you care about your job and you want to do well.
- NEVER get to the point where you think you know all there is to know. There is always time to learn something new. You can learn something from anyone. I know people like this. I know people who don’t like learning anything new. It’s a shame because they block themselves from so much. Don’t be like that. I truly believe the only reason they were like that is because they were like the old me – too afraid of looking ‘stupid’ or ‘silly’ by trying something new and not sure how it was going to work out. Well, sometimes you aren’t going to be great when you are doing something for the first time. People don’t expect you to be an expert or a pro during your first rodeo. It’s OK. Relax. Go out there and do it!
Until next time…
Mindful Impressions 