Going Back To Work – Are You Ready?
When I was pregnant with my first child, I focused most of my mental energy on being pregnant. I voraciously read about each stage of fetal development, kept charts on the wall to record all kinds of stats, and carefully planned everything I ate or drank. Then one day, the pregnancy was over and I had a beautiful newborn in front of me.
It didn’t take me long to realize I had been so focused on the goal of getting him here safely that I spent next to no time at all thinking about what skills I’d need to have as a new parent. Being thrown into the 24/7 fire of colicky newborn parenthood, I was completely unprepared for the anxiety, stress, and sleep deprivation that followed.
I’ve met a lot of job seekers who remind me of my formerly pregnant self. It is easy to become consumed with online job boards, email communication with prospective employers, and using social media for networking. If you’ve been at this for months, do a reality check to make sure your skills and especially your emotions are ready to go back to work tomorrow should the opportunity arise.
Not having a paycheck might be miserable, but job seekers do enjoy some perks that might be hard to let go. A flexible schedule, freedom to dress however you like, and never being forced to work with difficult people or supervisors can be liberating.
When it is all over, don’t just assume you’ll slide back into the swing without a few bumps along the way. The first days of a new job can be a particularly scary, anxious time. You might be surprised to find that you’ve carried some self-doubt baggage with you to your new office.
When is the last time you thought hard about what it will be like to go back to work? It will be a big lifestyle change. Like all change, you’ll want to be prepared for the stress that comes with the relief.
Michelle St. Onge
