(This blog was originally posted on April 30, 2014)
“There are no strangers here; only friends we haven’t met yet.” –
Irish proverb
It
can be challenging—and stressful—to enter an unfamiliar social environment.
Whether it is your first day of college, you are starting a new job or you have
just joined a special-interest group Facebook, the prospect of introducing
yourself and striking up a conversation with a stranger can be daunting. Everything
is an unknown entity, from the linoleum tiles on the break-room floor to
operating the copying machine to learning the organizations rules and bylaws.
Furthermore, most if not all of the other employees or group members already
know each other and are familiar with how the organization is run. They have
probably already created friendships or even cliques in that group. In addition
to an obvious group leader, such as a teacher or department supervisor, another
member may also occupy an unofficial, self-appointed leadership role and help
to “run” the organization when the boss is not around. As you become familiar
with your new role and responsibility in the group and learn (and try to
remember) everyone’s names, you wonder: Now that I am “in” this organization,
how do I truly join it?
Even
if you feel shy, even if you feel unsure, remember this fact: every other
person in this group has likely been where you are and felt like this at some
point. Consequently, most if not all of your team will make an effort to include
you and help to make you feel comfortable and welcome in the organization. On
my first day working as a proofreader at a national martial arts magazine, the
editorial team took me out for a pizza lunch.
Go out of your
way to make conversation and reciprocate gestures of kindness. For example, one
of the assistant editors at the magazine created a seating chart for me to
indicate the work stations of everyone in the company. She even included the
names of the men who ran the warehouse, the accountant and art-project
coordinators who worked off-site. I was so touched and inspired by this gesture
that I created a similar seating chart to help out every other new employee
throughout the years that I worked at that company.
One way
to boost your confidence is to physically change your posture: stand up
straight with your shoulders back, and hold your head up high. This conveys to
others that you have a strong sense of who you are and what you are about, what
you stand for. Even if you don't actually feel this way, your body is “acting”
as if you do. Since your subconscious mind doesn't know the difference between
fantasy and reality, you can pretend to be confident until your mind actually
starts to actually feel self-confident.
Another strategy is to think
about why you are attending a particular university; remind yourself why you are
working at this company or joined this particular social network. It is likely
that you had to undergo some kind of application and/or interview process to
get accepted to the college or to be offered your job. You demonstrated that do possess the skills, knowledge,
talents and other attributes that will benefit the university or corporation of
your choice. Anyone who wrote a letter of reference to support your college or
job application will have believed this, too! Similarly, you were attracted to
that social network because you share a common (mutual) interest with other
members in that group. If another member had to invite you to become a member
of a “closed” group, this is further validation that you have something to
offer them and strengthen the quality of that organization.
Remember
to take care of your body—not just during those first days or weeks when you
are finding your way around, but every day. Eat well-balanced meals that
include protein and reduce your intake of caffeine or alcohol to help balance
your mood and stave off sudden drops in blood-sugar level, which is associated
with elevated levels of anxiety. Be sure to get enough sleep at night and take
deep breaths (diaphragmatic breathing) to circulate the oxygen in your
bloodstream throughout your body and further relax you if/when you feel nervous
or anxious.
Finally, as your
level of relaxation and self-confidence begin to grow in this new environment
you have chosen—remember, you want to
be here!—allow yourself to smile and say hello to the other people in your
group. A new friend is likely just a “hello” away.
© 2015
