Managing Change in Your Work Life
Change is an inevitable part of work. Shifting responsibilities or changes in company structure can require adaptation, and doing so effectively can help you maintain confidence and productivity. This resource provides tools to help you navigate transitions smoothly.
Changes That Come With Employment
Pijitsirniq – becoming employed is one of the biggest changes you can make in your life, as it empowers you to serve and provide for the community and your family.
Here are just some of the things that may change.
Routine
A job becomes a part of your existing structure. You need to adjust things around:
- Which days you need to be at work
- How many hours you will need to be at work
- How you schedule your breaks during the day (coffee breaks or a lunch break)
Getting Reorganized
When you take a new job, you are making a commitment to work the days and hours the employer requires. If you are not used to having to be somewhere at a certain time, this can feel like a shock. It means that you don’t have a full day to do other things anymore. You will have to organize your schedule to do things like:
- Getting groceries
- Seeing your family and friends
- Taking care of your pet
- Enjoying fishing and outdoor activities
- Exercising
- Sleeping
It is important to figure out how you will fit these activities into your personal time. One of the most challenging ones is sleeping. If you are used to going to sleep and waking up any time you want, it may be challenging at first to adjust your sleep schedule. But it’s important!
Coordinating and Scheduling Personal Commitments
Some people have commitments such as babysitting a younger brother or sister or bringing meals to a grandparent. If you have commitments like this, and then you also get a job, it can feel stressful. At first it seems hard, but it can be done! We’ll explore this in more detail later in the topic.
Less Personal Time
It may feel like you are losing some personal time when you take a job. This makes your personal time even more precious. Be sure to enjoy it and do things you care about when you are off work. That includes rest!
More Time With “Work” People
Work often involves spending more time with other people. However, this is very different from spending time with friends and family. At work, people talk to each other in a professional way, and there usually is a power structure in place, like employer/employee, or colleague/colleague. You will need to learn how people at your workplace communicate with each other, and how you will be expected to interact with your employer and co-workers.
Getting Used to the “Routine”
You may be used to thinking of yourself as “not currently employed.” It may take time to adjust to the new, empowered you. How do these statements make you feel?
- I am a person who is responsible.
- I am a professional.
- I am a person who can grow in my job.
- I am a person who earns an income.
Why Is Change Stressful?
Uncertainty
A new job is full of uncertainty. Will you enjoy the job? Will you like your co-workers? Will you need to talk to customers you don’t know? Will you be tired at the end of the day? Will you be able to do all your tasks?
It is natural to have questions when there is uncertainty. This may be a personal obstacle, and recognizing the source of stress is empowering.
Fear of Loss
A new job means giving up some of your free time. This can make it harder to spend time with friends, and you could miss out on some fun.
It is normal to feel a sense of loss when we don’t spend as much time with the people we used to.
Habit
When we are used to doing the same thing every day, it feels comfortable. We become attached to our everyday habits. It takes about three weeks to create a new habit by getting used to doing something new.
Almost half of everything we do is by habit. Things like brushing our teeth or the time we go to sleep are habits – meaning we don’t have to think about how to do these things each time we do them.
Get Ready for the Change
How do you make yourself feel more comfortable with the changes that your new job will bring?
What would you do?
- Ask your manager to write down your duties so they’re easier to remember.
- Read your “marketing story” to yourself as a reminder that you can do your job.
- Reach out to a colleague or a manager from another department for guidance on how to talk to customers.
- Talk to your co-workers and observe how they communicate on the job.
- Recognize that your schedule may need to change.
- Adjust your bedtime so you can wake up earlier and have time to cook breakfast.
- Keep in mind that cleaning takes a lot of physical energy—it might even replace part of your exercise routine.
- Find a good time to exercise after work—if you’re not too tired!
Change is a normal part of work. It can feel challenging at first, but with time and practice, you can learn to handle it well. Being open to new routines, asking for help when needed, and taking care of yourself can make the transition easier. Every change is a chance to grow and gain new skills.
Stay patient, give yourself time to adjust, and remember, you’ve got this!