Getting Into the Flow of Things: Keys to Early Success In a New Job
A Fresh Start.
As a 19-year-old college dropout, if you would have told me that I’d be where I am today at 25, I don’t think I would’ve believed you.
Now, I’m in no position of tremendous wealth, power, influence, or the likes.
Rather, I have a direction. I have a vision that 19-year-old Lucas couldn’t quite conceive of yet.
After college, I spent seven years working in Catholic non-profits. It was that part of my life that formed me as a man and prepared me for what is now.
This week I started a new job. Crazy, I know.
It isn’t with another non-profit either.
I’ve decided to branch out, gain new experiences, and take what I’ve learned as someone who is deeply mission-driven to a new space: a high growth, tech startup as part of a marketing team.
Over the next couple of months, I’ll be taking time each week to share my experiences and what I am learning along the way.
First, one cannot underestimate the need to find a rhythm. Let me explain.
Seek to Find a Rhythm.
Have you ever found yourself in an entirely foreign environment before? That’s my life as we speak.
Starting fresh poses challenges in any space and that’s to be expected. What happens when it’s radically fresh?
Personally, I think the key to coming out on top, in the end, is this: seek to find a rhythm.
Right from the get-go, my new boss has been repeating,
“We’re going to start here and ramp you up over time. What we’re wanting is for you to find your rhythm.”
I can’t tell you how reassuring this statement has been in the measly three days I’ve been on the job. Being new to B2B/ SaaS marketing is one thing, but being new to the entire industry is a whole different story.
In this situation, one must focus on gaining context. I’ve realized before I can jump into the nitty-gritty details of KPIs, an SEO strategy, and so on, I really need to do my due diligence.
Doing your due diligence may include:
- Seek context on the industry and your company.
- Know what product/service your company provides and their value prop.
- Go through onboarding and training like a boss.
- Put yourself out there and make proper introductions.
- Incorporate new systems into your workflow.
There’s a lot that a person must do to become totally acclimated to a new team, culture, and company; so do it. Why?
We don’t know what we don’t know. That’s acceptable for anyone in the early stages of a new job.
Hitting a rhythm in a new role will come, and that takes patience.
Be Patient.
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” — Aristotle
If there is anything that I have learned since being my 19-year-old college dropout days, it’s that growth and success take time.
I’m thankful that I find myself apart of a company that values this point of a new employee’s journey.
Being able to ramp up, hit a rhythm, and have the proper context first really has taken the pressure off.
To get to where I want to go to this job and my company, it will for sure take patience.
However, when the time comes to reap, you better believe I’ll be ready.
With that, stay tuned for what’s to come!
