In December, I found myself in the middle of a whirlwind. I had just accepted a new nurse leader role at a health tech company in Amsterdam—a completely new industry, country, and level of responsibility. I knew this transition wasn’t just about learning new workflows. It was about overhauling my entire daily life, balancing my work with Nursing the System, and making sure I didn’t burn out in the process.
I started prepping for this transition early — six weeks before my first day. Why? Because big transitions deserve big intention. I wasn’t interested in just surviving the chaos of change; I wanted to thrive through it. This prep period wasn’t about controlling every outcome (because life is unpredictable). It was about building systems that would support me, give me flexibility, and help me navigate the ups and downs without losing myself.
Here’s exactly what I did and why it worked.
1. Decluttering and Nesting: Clearing Physical and Digital Space
I knew that to tackle the chaos of a new routine, I needed my surroundings to feel calm and supportive—both physically and digitally. This meant:
Deep cleaning my house (goodbye junk drawers!)
Organizing phone photo albums and computer files (no more frantic file searches!)
Turning off unnecessary notifications (because who needs a Twitter alert at 6 AM?)
Tackling lingering “I’ll get to it someday” tasks—like booking a dentist appointment and mailing off packages.
Goal: Create a calm, supportive environment that wouldn’t add to the stress of the transition.
Reflection: Creating a clean, organized space gave me a sense of control during an otherwise unpredictable period. When the whirlwind of starting a new job hit, I wasn’t haunted by the ghost of unfinished tasks. Instead, I had an environment that whispered, “You’ve got this.”
2. Rehearsing My New Schedule
I wasn’t about to leave my daily routine to chance. For six weeks, I tested key aspects of my upcoming workdays so that my body, brain, and mood would be ready to perform. Here’s what that looked like:
Commute experiments: I tested multiple routes (bus, bike, train) to find the most efficient option.
Morning wake-up training: I started waking up at my new workday time—even on weekends—to reset my internal clock.
Workout adjustments: I shifted from 60-minute workouts to shorter, 30-minute sessions before work.
I also practiced waking up early to leave time for Nursing the System. Since I knew I’d have fewer hours in the day, I had to optimize my mornings without sacrificing sleep or workouts.
Goal: Reduce surprises and give myself mental space to focus on the actual job.
Reflection: By the time day one rolled around, I wasn’t worried about missing the bus or feeling groggy. My mornings felt seamless, allowing me to focus on onboarding and first impressions. Pro tip? Testing your commute is worth it—there’s nothing worse than scrambling to figure it out while dressed in your "new job" nerves.
3. Building a Basic Knowledge Base
Here’s the thing: I was entering a completely new industry—clinical trials—with zero prior experience. Instead of trying to become an expert overnight (because, let’s be real, that’s impossible), I took a strategic approach:
I skimmed one book on clinical trials (no pressure to read every word).
I watched a five-hour YouTube series that covered the industry’s big picture.
Goal: Prime my brain with a mental model of the industry to fill in knowledge gaps naturally.
Reflection: This wasn’t about perfection; it was about setting realistic expectations. I didn’t try to master every nuance before day one—I just gave myself a mental framework to build on. By doing this, I entered meetings feeling competent but open to learning. Balance, baby.
4. Reflecting on How I Wanted to Show Up
I believe in being intentional with my career, and this transition was no different. Beyond thinking about big-picture goals, I focused on how I wanted to feel and act on a daily basis. My two guiding principles were:
Observe: Absorb everything like a sponge—from organizational dynamics to team workflows.
Connect: Build relationships and trust early on by being present and curious.
Goal: Show up thoughtfully, ask good questions, and prioritize learning and relationship-building.
Reflection: These priorities weren’t random—they came directly from my Map Your Impact Mini-Course, which teaches exactly this kind of intentional behavior. Instead of rushing to prove myself, I focused on listening and learning. It’s hard to overstate how much smoother that made my onboarding experience.
5. Setting Expectations with Loved Ones
Let’s be real: Starting a new job meant my social life was going to take a hit. Instead of ghosting my friends and family (don’t be that person), I had honest conversations about my limited availability. Here’s what I did:
Let my inner circle know my schedule was shifting.
Stepped back from time-consuming commitments, like choir practice.
Goal: Reduce guilt and confusion by communicating the changes in my life.
Reflection: This step wasn’t just about keeping others in the loop—it was about reducing my own guilt. When I couldn’t make it to every social event, I knew it wasn’t because I was a bad friend; it was because I had communicated my priorities. Plus, shoutout to friends who text you with, “I’m free Tuesday or Thursday—which one works?”
6. Honoring the Season I Was Leaving Behind
Transitioning from self-employment to a full-time corporate job was bittersweet. I had loved the freedom of setting my own schedule, working from cafes, and, yes, occasionally staying in pajamas all day. But I also knew that chapter was ending—and I wanted to honor it properly.
Goal: Feel my feelings, honor the flexibility I was leaving behind, and build excitement for what was coming.
Reflection: I took time to feel my feelings about the loss of flexibility and spontaneity. By acknowledging what I was leaving behind, I avoided emotional whiplash when the demands of my new job hit. And here’s the thing: Emotional health is professional health. Ignoring those feelings would have made the transition harder, not easier.
On the flip side, I also celebrated what I was gaining: financial stability, deeper skill development, and the chance to collaborate with a team daily. Holding gratitude for both the past and the future helped me stay grounded.
7. Hiring Support for My Business
Let’s talk delegation. I knew that balancing a 40-hour corporate job with running Nursing the System wasn’t going to happen without help. So, I hired a virtual assistant (VA) before my start date.
My VA, Taylor, handles admin tasks, tech issues, and video/audio editing.
This allows me to focus on coaching, creating frameworks, and developing new resources.
Goal: Learn to delegate effectively and protect my zone of genius.
Reflection: Hiring Taylor was a game-changer. Delegation isn’t just about lightening your workload—it’s about doubling down on your strengths while someone else handles the rest. It’s safe to say I won’t be going back to doing everything myself.
Key Takeaway: Big Transitions Deserve Big Intention
I started preparing six weeks before my first day because I know that major transitions require time and care. If you have a significant role shift coming up—whether it’s a new job, a move, or another life change—consider what you need to feel steady, clear, and capable.
By rehearsing routines, clearing distractions, and setting boundaries, I was able to enter this new role with confidence and ease. Your future self will thank you if you do the same.
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