Navigating work life

Your first 100 days

The first 100 days of employment within any business represents a great opportunity to make a positive impact. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this time.

Focusing your time

The ‘3 rocks’ approach is an effective way to identify where you should focus your attention. These rocks should be important projects or goals where 60% of your efforts are channelled as opposed to focusing on the ‘sand’ surrounding the rocks - the small, everyday tasks you do to deliver the day job. The rocks should be highly visible actions that will deliver a big impact on the business. People don’t remember the sand, but they take notice of the rocks! This short video visualises why it is important to channel your attention towards the bigger tasks, whilst letting the everyday tasks fit in around them. 

Start thinking about what you want to be known for by the time you have been within the organisation for one year. Identify where you can make the biggest difference and keep that goal in mind. Having a primary goal to focus on and work towards is an excellent way of channelling your efforts.

Contributing to meetings

This can be daunting for some in the first few months when you do not have a reputation to fall back on. The biggest tip is to prepare in advance; review the agenda items, read up on them and even chat to individuals involved. It is okay to observe and there will come a time when you feel confident to contribute. Ask questions as it shows you are actively participating and interested in the discussion taking place.

When things go wrong at work

There will be hurdles you come across in your first months and there are a few ways you can react when everything does not go to plan. As soon as you are aware there are problems, communicate to your line manager and discuss an approach; do not keep quiet hoping that they will go away. Get your creative juices working and think of ideas out of the box. It is easy to let frustration degenerate into defeat; see it as learning to make sure it does not happen again.

Professional development

You may have a structured personal development plan (PDP) or similar goal setting and progress resource within your workplace that defines your objectives in the year ahead and identifies any development you might need to achieve them. This may lead to a structured learning plan. If not, there may be internal courses on the work intranet or you might look independently to online courses, e.g., time management. If there are any programmes, such as a mentor or buddy scheme then take advantage of them or find a mentor yourself by asking around.

Use technology and social media, e.g., LinkedIn to build and manage your personal brand. Use it to project your narrative about your ongoing skills development.