Transitioning to a New Job: The Workout

Recently, I joined a new gym.   I am struck by the parallels of adapting to a new gym environment and adapting to a new job.

The importance of exploration. . .finding and knowing.  The first thing I did at my new gym was explore.   Where was that piece of equipment for the abs?   Where are the free weights I want to use? Where is the drinking fountain?     To just launch into a new routine without knowing where all of the pieces are is inefficient.

When I started my last job, I was fortunate that I had a period of similar exploration.   I could find the sales numbers. . .do some analysis. . .talk to people about how things work.   As opposed to just diving in and working like I used to. . .this period of exploration allowed me to be more efficient.  Take time to find and know where the tools are that you need to do your job.

The adaptability of muscles.  I worked out at my former gym for years;  my muscles became used to a certain routine, and even more granularly, the way certain weight machines worked.     Now, in a new gym, even though the weight machines are comparable, my muscles need to re-adapt themselves to the nuances of a new routine.

Same is true in the workplace.  Your brain, your work muscles adapt to a certain routine.   When you change jobs, while you still have the basic skill set, realize that you need to adapt to the nuances that are slightly different and require new ways of thinking and doing.

Easing on into the workout.   I know that since I need to adapt, I am going to do a lighter workout.   I'm not going to go full throttle like I did at the old gym because, frankly, in the adaptation process I may injure myself. 

Same is true in a new workplace.   Give yourself a break.  Don't run full throttle into a job - you'll get injured.   Smartly ease into it while you adapt. . .and others adapt to you.

Investing time in getting to know people.   One of the things I'm enjoying about the new gym is the time I'm taking to meet people and enter into conversation.    I suppose one could look at that like a waste of time:     talking to people instead of really working out.   It's not a waste.   By engaging with the existing membership, I'm establishing relationships and learning how things work.

In the past, I've been guilty of entering a new job and isolating myself for the purpose of just getting work done.   Truth is, getting to know people and establishing working relationships is getting work done. . .both now and for the future.

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Brent Frerichs is the author of "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders"  available for e-readers, tablets and PCs from Amazon Kindle.