Professional adjustment at your workplace

    Understanding fully one’s duties at work is a dilemma by itself, particularly with new people around and a workplace yet to be discovered to your benefit. And the biggest problem at a new workplace is displaying appropriate tolerance and flexibility to facilitate taking orders and instructions from people who you do not know well. Meeting deadlines is another very challenging trial.

Present day workplaces are very extreme on outputs and equally heavy on work pressures. It is all a question of whether you perform or you are shown the door. Working in such an atmosphere is thus a challenge by itself, more so if you happen to have joined recently. But it is not all that difficult to adjust, as many people are apprehensive about. You can surely deal with new difficulties by displaying due drive and a flexible approach. Some tips on what you should be doing when you start working in a new organisation are:  

· Be conversant with your duties: You should make full efforts to get to know what you are required to do. This implies understanding your position, functions and duties; in short, your job conditions and obligations. As you gradually move ahead, you will realize that there are disparities between the role that you were initially explained and what you are actually required to perform. Under such circumstances, you should not get unnecessarily perturbed but resolve to work cheerfully. In case of any apprehensions, sitting and discussing across the table will help. The point that should never be lost sight of is that tasks that you may not be able to carry out should be graciously but forcefully declined.

· Harbour a flexible approach: Rigidity of mind will lead you nowhere. You have to be willing to accept truth, you have to be willing to work hard. You have to be motivated to go to practice with an open mind. You have to be willing to be criticized. Having an open mind implies being open to debate and argument. Your objective should be not only to put across what you feel about things but also to comprehend what others think. The good point of having an open mind is that it will leave a chance for other people to drop a valuable idea in it. Remember that a wise person changes his mind and a person who is reckless or imprudent, never does so. The crux of the subject is to also be open to deliberations and negotiations.

· Endure work-pressures: You may adopt any method to do your work but whether or not it is correct will largely be contingent on if you are successful or not. Corporate canons recognize end results more than the endeavour that goes in attaining them. Bosses and supervisors have a tendency to press-gang subordinates to complete assigned jobs in time and meet stipulated deadlines. Should you land in such a situation, make it a point to express candidly any reservation that you may have with regard to the cut-off date or time being imposed. In addition, you should not shy away from asking for the necessary wherewithal, including finances that are inescapable for completing any assignment.

· Observe what and how things are: No two workplaces are alike. Customs and traditions that make work culture vary from one place to the other; even ethics differ and show marked variations of standards. Therefore, it is both difficult and unnecessary to take a broad view of business cultures. You may have learnt several work philosophies and models, but being able to put them into operation is another matter. The best method is to watch your co-workers and settle down first rather than let go yourself with full steam from day one.

· Act after due deliberation: You should remember that you are a greenhorn and as a tenderfoot, you have to establish yourself and prove your worth before others start admiring you. Getting spotted and proving your true value is indeed very difficult; hence it is always desirable to take deliberate and calculated paces rather than big strides. Never ever attempt to hasten whatever you may be required to do. It is recommended that one should take his or her own time to be in the picture, at home and on top of things before any action. It is only then that you should think of harnessing your ideas. The crux of the matter is that you should be squarely thorough, systematically hardworking and tirelessly observant.

· Your immediate boss is important: You should be well aware of the pecking order of your new workplace. It is all the more important to know the likes and dislikes of your immediate boss. If you enjoy an affable equation with your boss, you will be able to give a free rein to your ingenuity and vision; the result will be that you will start getting pleasure in whatever you do. Your boss may suffer from some arrogance and condescension; hence it will take time for you to be able to establish such a relationship. The important point is not to forget the difference between professional and personal associations.

· Be aware of how much you matter: You should routinely endeavour to come to terms with the degree of influence you can exercise and the amount of weight you can throw around. There is no harm in seeking a word of advice from your immediate superior and be aware of the level of faith bestowed upon you. Being dynamic and taking initiative is good for your career and will be appreciated, but the person one-up should be kept in your loop. If you do not do so or if you exceed the bounds of dominance, you could land in severe dilemma.

You should not forget that all jobs call for a high degree of toil, presenting one’s best and meeting deadlines and maintaining cordial relationships. You should remain well-poised and harbour a professional outlook at all times. It is important that you ensure to keep your emotions at bay. It is only then that you will be able to function with sincerity and with efficiency.