Negative thinking in new job when faced with new challenges

Lately, every time I get faced with a new challenge - or the unknown - I think I cannot do it and I think that I'm going to fail.

I believe I suffer from a lowered confidence. Years ago, I felt I could do anything at work and rise to any challenge. Then, I got knocked down due to bullying and abuse, and my confidence level changed. And now, I am a total wreck.

I have a new job, and yesterday on my first day I learned that I have to develop complex, highly detailed and highly visual client presentations in Microsoft Powerpoint.

I am no Powerpoint wizard, nor am I a wizard at client presentations in general. Sure, I've done data analysis and I've presented lengthy client reports and audits, but never at this level or to this extent.

I also learned that my new company CEO has extremely high standards - almost impossibly high. I watched a video of her giving a tutorial on these presentations and what she likes to see - and she was very nit picky about the details.

So, when faced with this reality in my new job, what do I first think? My immediate thought is: I cannot do that, I will fail and I will get myself fired because I cannot rise to this new challenge or meet the CEO's standards.

And now I am worried. I woke up with worry and fear about getting fired and for failing at my new job. They fired the last guy for not being detail oriented enough.

On the flip side, in my last job I also thought I would fail when I first started. But then, over time, I met each new challenge, I overcame the challenges, and I succeeded.

I hope the same happens in this new job, but I am scared and worried. Can I build these kinds of presentations? Can I actually do this? What if I can't?

Also, I am not used to having to meet very high standards. My last company practically us present whatever we wanted to clients since there was very little oversight of my team.

So, how do I overcome my fears and negative thinking?

I’d create a presentation the best you can, then contact your bosses or whoever is knowledgeable about company’s expectations and ask them to look it over as you aren’t knowledgeable about their expectations due to being new. See what they suggest. Then go from there: add or elaborate on details or what not. I am sure you can do it.

Thanks @divine1966 - yes, that's precisely what I should do. I should also look at prior examples of work to base my presentation off of.

I did it again. I was handed an assignment today without much instruction, details or guidance, and my immediate reaction was to panic. I spent all morning in a panicky state trying to do the task, before I could speak with the person who assigned it to me to give me more detail.

I sooo wish I wasn't like this. My anxiety level has increased dramatically over the years, and I have an intense fear of doing something wrong and getting reprimanded or in trouble for it.

Well, I got two public "high fives" today at work for jumping in and taking ownership of tasks. My VP said the feedback has been very positive, so keep it up. Then my female CEO connected with me on LinkedIn, and wrote me a message there, saying hope you've had a great week! So that was nice, too.

I feel very welcomed by my new company. I just hope I can succeed there. I think I can.

This is amazing! Congratulations!!!

Im so sorry that youre doubting yourself though, especially after abuse and bullying. Is it something you could work on in therapy? Something like CBT would be an ideal therapy to help with your self esteem and self confidence.

THANK YOU!

I do have a therapist and plan to work with him on my self esteem and confidence level at work, for sure.

This morning I used positive affirmations, and they actually helped. It helped me to actually believe the words I was saying to myself. So, there's that... guess that's progress!

Brilliant!! Thats so good, it sounds like youre working really hard at helping yourself. I hope you continue to feel better about yourself

I’m glad to hear you’re doing well, Have Hope - congratulations on the new job! I can totally relate to panicking over new tasks, but if you have an understanding/open boss it does make a big difference. I’m thinking since you’re new there that they would somewhat expect you to ask some questions about the work they’re giving you. Getting to know what they expect through asking questions and meeting those expectations will go a long way to helping you feel more confident and settled, here.

How wonderful!!!! Good job

@Pinny, thanks so much. And thanks for your support!

Thank you, @RoxanneToto!

My boss was actually on vacation last week during my first week, so I couldn't ask him too many questions since I didn't want to bug him on his vacation. He did check in with me every day, though, which was amazing.

But yes, generally speaking, I will have to ask questions about their expectations.

@divine1966, thanks!!!

Ok, I’m freaking out now. I was tasked with something I was never taught properly how to do. I’m asking for help from former colleagues so that I have guidance and a template to follow, but what if my company figures out that I really don’t know as much as they may think?!? A friend tells me to “fake it til you make it.” Ugh - I’m so scared.

If you don’t know how to do something, try to learn by looking for resources. If it’s not possible, then fess up that you don’t know that part because you were never taught that and need some assistance or at the very least need more time to figure it out. No crime in not knowing something. Unless it’s integral part of the position. Like being hired to be a semi driver and not knowing how to drive it. Otherwise no one knows everything

I don’t see how and why you’d be faking something that you getting paid for. How could you even fake it? I don’t understand your friend. It’s a sure way to get fired when they find out you don’t know it but not being honest about it. Nothing good comes out of faking it.

Why would they think you know more than you actually do? Why would they be assuming?

I think you can learn it. Good idea asking people to give you some guidance

Thanks, divine.

What my company DOES know is that leadership was lacking in my last job. One could surmise from that that I didn't learn things as well as I could have, due tot the lack of leadership, and subsequently, proper training.

I really don't know what to do - my friend who said "fake it til you make it" means well. I think if you pretend you know, yet use resources to help you so that you can succeed, couldn't that help me to avoid a problem with my new supervisor?

If you could figure it out and do it well, I see no issues with not knowing it initially. I wouldn’t directly lie or pretend though. If they tell me go do XYZ, I’ll go and try and if I can’t figure it out then I’ll say I did try but it doesn’t look right, I might need some help. I don’t see why you’d get in trouble for not knowing something. What can they do to you? Nothing really

I personally prefer to be in trouble for not doing or knowing something and being honest about it rather than being in trouble for pretending I have the knowledge and then being caught.

Yeah... I do see your point.

A colleague is sending me a template today. I hope it helps.

I was given an audit to do of a large-ish website. The audit was split between 3 of us to complete, so I was given a single portion of the audit to do myself. I had never really done this type of audit - I had done technical audits before, and not so well.

Point being - my last company, and the company before that, did me NO favors for learning website audits and how to do them correctly. So I am pretty much in the dark.

I asked former colleagues and current colleagues for a template to follow. The templates I received were complex, and I've been given only 5 hours to complete my portion of the audit. My time on this project must be tracked.

So I have to turn in my work today, and I am very worried it's not up to par with my agency's standards. I feel I did kind of a hack job on it, especially towards the end of my audit. I don't know what I am doing, and literally need a step-by-step blueprint which of course, I do not have.

On top of this, I have tingling in my left hand, in my pinkie and ring finger specifically, and it won't go away. I think I have damaged a nerve and possibly by working in a position at the computer that is not ergonomic.

I am freaking out. I still fear they will fire me once they see I cannot do the work they want me to do, and once they see that I never was taught or coached properly.

And what is this tingling about? I likely will have to go to a doctor next week and I haven't earned any sick time yet. UGH!

So, I thought I was leaving massive stress behind me by leaving my last company. I am almost as stressed trying to learn and do well in my new company.

The only stressless jobs are low paid ones. All other ones have various degree of stress. I doubt they’ll fire you if one project not done well. Hopefully they’ll tell you what to improve. I’d not be freaking out early on. Just see what they say.

I just wanted to say I think youre doing an amazing job! Working under such pressure and youre doing it!!!!

As for the tingling, it sounds like your ulnar nerve has been effected, its the nerve that sticks out on your elbow and run down your arm into your hand and ring and pinkie fingers.
If youve been leaning on the desk this can happen. Its really common.

I still recommend you go to your doctor to get checked, I just wanted to say that it doesnt sound like its much to worry about!

I hope the tingling stops soon and keep up the good work with your job!!

Oh yeah tingling is probably due to being at a computer all day. Doctor might recommend something to help out with symptoms.

THANK YOU!

Yes, I believe that's what the issue is. I am getting a better ergonomic computer set up this evening to help.

My new medical insurance hasn't been processed yet even, so I cannot see a doctor until it is. UGH!

Thanks, divine.

Yep - I need a doctor, but cannot even see one until insurance kicks in.

I am super intimidated and overwhelmed right now.

I feel really inadequate in my new job. My colleagues are so far ahead of me, and yes, granted, they all have a few more years of experience than I do, so that makes me more junior to them, but I feel inadequate. Their work is far superior to mine as well as their knowledge level. I feel like I have four years of experience vs ten. I feel like I am so behind from where I should be. And I am most resentful right now of my last company for not teaching me a single thing that will help me in my work EXCEPT for reporting and client relations.

My colleagues all are able to make these incredible graphs and charts in Excel - it's been YEARS since I've used Excel in that way.

And, in my last job, reporting was entirely automated. In this job, it's a manual process, and we have to develop not only super graphs and charts in Excel, but then we have to put the entirety of a report into Powerpoint slides, all fancy and beautiful looking. I am not adept at Excel OR Powerpoint.

It's not just Excel and Powerpoint, either. It's my knowledge level.

I feel like I am going to fail - I don't think I can do this level of work, and I am very scared that it's far beyond my capabilities. And this company has incredibly high standards.

I think I am going to end up getting fired. I don't know what to do whatsoever and I am totally freaking out.

Oh Lordy. Why couldn't I have landed a job that was easier for me? I know this is the level I SHOULD be at, but it's sooo freaking hard to meet them at this level and meet their standards. Every day I am sweating it out.

I have Monday off from work, so I am going to spend the day studying and working, nonetheless. The only answer I can come up with is to work really really hard, and to spend extra time outside of work hours working and studying up.