60-Second Career Coach: Starting a new job?

One of the most important moments in your entire transition to this job starts 24 hours before your first day.

Not because you need to have everything figured out. You don’t.

But because how you prepare will shape how you show up. This is the being intentional part.

A few simple things I always suggest:

First, how do you want to be known in that first week? Write down what you want people to experience when they meet you. Not your resume. Your presence.

Second, come up with 2 or 3 questions you genuinely want answered early. Things like: what does success look like here, how do decisions get made, what matters most in this culture?

Third, slow yourself down. Think way down. First days are not about proving yourself.

Remember: you were hired for a reason. Your job is not to arrive perfect. Your job is to arrive present. So show up prepared to be present.

Being intentional is what turns work into impact.