Did you just secure your first OT job? 🎉 Are you feeling nervous, anxious, oroverwhelmed? Here are my top tips and advice to help you thrive and be the best OT you can be! 💯

1. You are not expected to, nor will you, know everything. And that’s OK.

This is a hard one for us to wrap our brains around. Even as a clinician for 4 years, I still get frustrated with myself when I don’t know all the answers. But one of the best things you can do when you don’t know the answer is to go find it. It takes courage to admit when you don’t know something, especially when you’re first starting out. Be a sponge! Absorb everything you can, find a mentor, and take control of your learning. Self-initiation will take you far!

Tip: Keep a log of terms and definitions, treatment/evaluation components, and/or anything else you want to brush up on. Don’t overdo it though! Limit yourself to 5 items per week. Babysteps!

2. Ask Questions

This is how you will learn! It can feel daunting, especially when first starting out, but taking the leap and asking all your questions will not only help you develop clinical decision-making skills, but also build confidence over time.

3. Get to know your teammates and other integral members of your team

This does not mean you have to be close friends with everyone. But you do want to introduce yourself, get to know your teammates, and familiarize yourself with people that work near or around you. You never know when you might need assistance or help, and it’s beneficial to have others in your back pocket to be able to reach out to! Seeking out a mentor will also do wonders!

4. Set small goals

We all want to achieve our big goals, do all the things, and be successful. But that amount of stress and pressure we put on our end goal makes achieving that goal more difficult. As OTs, we are trained in goal writing and goal management. We are the kings and queens of breaking up long-term goals into short term goals to achieve the bigger picture—so apply this to yourself! Set smaller daily, weekly, or monthly goals to meet (whichever you prefer!). This will make your bigger goals digestible and allow you to have small successes along the way.

5. Be patient with yourself

Set your goals, absorb everything you can, ask questions, and above all else, be patient with yourself! You will get to where you want to be. Give yourself grace, hold yourself accountable, and never stop holding faith that what you want will happen. It may take some work to get there but mixing the practical work with a good mindset will certainly help you get to your destination sooner. You got this—good luck!

Happy OT Month!

By Sarah Stevens, OTR/L @theotmethod 🌸