Starting a new job is a rollercoaster of emotions. There’s the initial high of excitement—new possibilities, fresh opportunities, and the chance to make an impact. But that excitement can quickly give way to doubt. A sinking feeling creeps in, whispering, What am I doing here? Am I good enough for this?

Even with over 20 years in application design and development, I’ve felt this way. Recently, I started an exciting new chapter at Warner Music Group. It’s an incredible opportunity, but even with my experience, that familiar wave of overwhelm hit me. New people, new processes, acronyms flying around—it can feel like drinking from a firehose.

Thankfully, I’ve learned these feelings will pass. I vividly remember my first lead UI developer role. Not long into the job, I felt so overwhelmed I went to my boss, ready to quit. I didn’t think I could handle what was being asked of me. But instead of letting me walk away, my boss reassured me: feeling out of place was normal. He reminded me I had so much to offer and promised his support.

A year later, I was thriving in that role, contributing to a level that helped the company get acquired. That experience taught me something crucial: these early struggles don’t define you—they’re just part of the process.

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: feeling like a fish out of water is normal. In fact, it’s universal. Everyone feels this way at some point, no matter how confident they appear. People are just good at hiding it.

Imposter syndrome isn’t a sign you’re unqualified; it’s a sign you’re in a space where you can grow. Those uncomfortable first weeks aren’t a failure—they’re the start of something great.

When you’re in the thick of it, here are five strategies that help:

1. Focus on what you can control. Don’t stress about impressing everyone right away. Instead, tackle the task at hand. Knock out one onboarding task, then move to the next.

2. Ask questions. It’s easy to feel lost when everyone’s throwing around acronyms and jargon. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Curiosity shows humility and a willingness to learn—qualities people respect.

3. Write things down. New environments come with a lot of information. Whether it’s Apple Notes, a notebook, or a task manager app, log what you learn to help you process and remember it.

4. Breathe and simplify. Overwhelmed? Take a moment to breathe. Put on calming music if it helps. You don’t need a fancy system; sometimes the simplest tools are the most effective.

5. Trust the process. Each week will get a little easier. You’ll start to understand how people work, what’s expected of you, and how to navigate the environment. Progress takes time, but stick with it—you’ll find your footing and start to thrive.

Starting a new role is like planting seeds. The first days and weeks are about laying the groundwork—not about being perfect. Employers know onboarding takes time. They don’t expect you to have all the answers on day one.

Let go of the pressure to figure everything out immediately. Focus on one step at a time and trust that you’ll grow into the role. With enough “imposter” moments under your belt, you might be surprised by how confident you become.

Feeling like an imposter isn’t a failure; it’s a natural part of stepping into something new. Everyone feels this way, and you’re no exception. Embrace it with humility and curiosity, and trust that you’ll adapt and grow.

You’ve got this. One step at a time, one task at a time, you’ll find your rhythm. And one day, you’ll look back and wonder why you ever doubted yourself. So breathe, focus, and remember: you belong here. Now go kick ass.