Today was my first day working at the Learning Center of St. Mary's High School. So far, I have a very good impression of the school, and of the job, and already can't wait to get back to learn all that I can about it! (YES I realize how keener-ish that sounds.. but its true).
Usually, when I start a new position my first day is often filled with nervousness and anxiety, but today was pleasantly different. I was more eager, and excited to start, then I was nervous. I'm sure the long waiting process before my actual start date had something to do with it, combined with my experience working with teenage youth... but it got me thinking about all my jobs in the past, and how I felt during the first day of my first job ever...
Dairy Queen-- My first real job! I remember the whole thing so vividly. My mom was adamant about not letting m start working until I was 16 years old, and insisted that I apply for jobs in the summer, so that the work would not interfere with school. So I remember at the age of 16, walking into stores, fast food chains, malls, convenient shops, EVERYTHING, equipped with a pen and a smile ready to fill out application forms. All spring and summer I did this.. and all spring and summer I recieved no calls. Not a single one. Needless to say, by September I had given up on that dream very quickly, but then in February I received a phone call from DQ. They had received my resume from the summer, and wanted to know if I was still interested in working there. Of course I was, and after convincing my mom to let me start working during the school year, I set up an interview and prepared my self. I literally studied for this interview, probably harder then I had studied for any test in my life. I remember feeling SO nervous as I waited in the sitting area for the DQ manager to come interview me. My mom had just finished doing my hair, and my braids were so tight against my forehead that my eyes watered every time I laughed or grinned.. I remember swinging my legs under the table out of nervousness and accidentally kicking the manager.. whoops. Basically, I'm sure I walked out of there thinking it was either a disaster, or a success. Well, I thought to myself, "She either really liked me because I answered the questions well, I expressed my interest in both front and back positions, told her my schedule would be very flexible during the summer, and complimented her shirt, earings, and watch (yes I was a kissup).. OR she thought I was an eye watering, shin kicking freak who had no sense of humor because I was afraid to laugh or smile to hard)...thank goodness the interview ended up being a "sucess".. either that or the restaurant was very desperate.
After I was hired, I had to complete a series of tests, to ensure that I knew the required weight of all the soft serve products so that I wouldn't make them to big or to small, we would practice making them the perfect weight, and could eat them after.. that was my favorite part. :) By my first official start date, I remember not feeling nervous, but confident in my ability, as the training provided ensured I was equipped with the necessary skills to succeed.
Anyway, before this post turns into a novel, the point I'm trying to make, what I've learned is that there is no need to focus on feelings of anxiety or nervousness when it comes to starting a new position, or school program, or anything else.. the fact of the matter is, you were chosen for a reason. You were hired, because the employer trusted your capabilities and saw that potential in you, and often times I think we forget to realize our own potential, we forget to really trust and utilize our skills, and therefore miss out on a lot of opportunities in life because we don't truly believe in ourselves. The focus of this epiphany moment I had today was that we should always go for what interests us, whether or not we believe we can actually do it, because the worst thing your going to get out of it is a NO, and the best thing you can get is a YES.
If that makes sense. Enough for now.. look at this.. a little bit of free time on my hands, and I'm writing chapter books.. whoops.
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