Starting a new job is exciting. But with it comes the big task of understanding, assimilating, and digesting tons of new information. It can overload your brain and if not managed, make your shiny new role much less enjoyable.
- Information overwhelm can happen rapidly (making you feel like you can’t take in another thing in the moment), or gradually ( leaving you feeling dull and unable to absorb anything else).
- To outsmart overwhelm, start by managing yourself. When you notice information overload (a headache, fatigue, frustration, mood swing), don’t ignore it and don’t panic. Say to yourself, “I’m in a new job and there is plenty to learn here. It’s okay to feel this way.” This self-talk helps normalize the situation and makes the emotions easier to handle.
- Next, help your brain help you. The more juice you reserve for processing information, the less likely you will be to experience overload. You can do this by sorting and storing the information you need, rather than trying to remember everything at once.
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It’s always exciting to begin a new job. But among the frenzy of meeting new colleagues, starting new projects, and building new skills, there can be an equally stressful pressure to succeed. A big part of your success is determined by how quickly you are able to digest lots of information, including, but not limited to new names, processes, systems, software, and responsibilities.
