What Nobody Tells You About Your First 6 Months at Work
Let’s be real — your first 6 months in a real job are way harder than anyone tells you.
You’re balancing expectations you don’t fully understand… under pressure you don’t quite know how to measure… with people you’re still learning to read. Meanwhile, every “quick sync” meeting seems to come with unspoken rules. Every compliment feels cryptic. And every silence? That’s where the self-doubt creeps in.
“Am I doing this right?”
If you’ve felt unsure, tired, behind, or even bored — you’re not broken. You’re not failing. You’re just in the hardest part of the climb. 🧗
Let’s unpack why that is — and how to build something meaningful from it.
1. You’re Learning More Than You’re Shipping — That’s Normal 🧠
You might feel like you’re not delivering much. But trust me: you’re digesting a ton. Processes, tools, org charts, personalities, power structures — you’re mentally mapping terrain that no training manual covers.
That mental load is exhausting. And invisible. But it’s not wasted. You’re becoming fluent in how your team operates — and that fluency will pay off.
2. You’re Still Earning the Right to Be Trusted 🤝
This phase isn’t just about output. It’s about dependability.
Do you respond when people ask for help?
Do you meet the small deadlines?
Do you make fewer excuses and more fixes?
People are watching. Not to judge — but to decide if they can count on you.
Quiet consistency beats loud ambition every time.
3. You’re Doing Real Work Without a Clear Scoreboard 📊
Here’s what stings: no one’s grading your progress anymore. There’s no syllabus. No midterms.
You might feel like you’re floating. But that’s what real-world learning feels like.
Start keeping your own score:
What did I complete this week?
What feedback did I apply?
What did I make easier for my team?
Tracking your wins (even small ones) builds momentum.
4. You’re Probably Comparing Yourself to Everyone 🪞
It’s tempting to look at the teammate who seems to “get it” — or the peer who’s already presenting to leadership — and wonder what’s wrong with you.
Stop. Their pace is not your benchmark. Focus on growth, not optics.
Most people you’re comparing yourself to are also winging it — just with better poker faces.
5. You’re Building a Reputation — Whether You Realize It or Not 🔍
This isn’t about being liked. It’s about being counted on.
Every day, people around you are answering a silent question: “What can I expect from this person?”
Will they follow through?
Will they prepare for the meeting?
Will they be someone I want on my next project?
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be predictable — in the best way.
6. You’re Closer Than You Think 🚀
Here’s the truth most people miss: the six-month mark feels blah not because you’re off-track — but because you’re almost through the fog.
You’re not the wide-eyed new hire anymore. But you haven’t fully stepped into confidence yet.
That’s exactly when most people start to coast or pull back.
Don’t.
This is when you push. Show initiative. Own something. Volunteer for a small challenge. Ask a manager what “great” looks like — then aim for it.
Final Thought: Your Struggle Is Not a Sign of Failure — It’s a Sign You’re In It 🔥
If your first 6 months have been messier, quieter, or more draining than you expected — congratulations. You’re in the arena.
You’re not behind. You’re becoming.
Now’s the time to refocus. Recommit. And get ready to level up.
Talk soon,
Shawn
📬 Want more practical advice like this?
Give me a Follow on X → https://twitter.com/shawnisakson
and Connect on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnisakson
And if you're early in your engineering or science career, check out the Foundations Course — the playbook I wish I had in my first 10 years:
👉 www.shawnisakson.com/foundations
