Learning new skills can be daunting. Here are four ways to embrace being a beginner | Gaynor Parkin and Amanda Wallis

Many of us find grappling with unfamiliar demands anxiety-provoking. Try these steps to ease yourself in

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As a long-time high achiever, Susan* was comfortable with big goals and taking on new challenges. She was respected in her chosen profession and regularly sought advice from her colleagues when feeling unsure. She had worked for the same company for a long time and, in that time, had successfully transitioned between several different roles. Susan was smart, worked hard and was good at mentoring others to help them develop their skills and careers. Then, she was unexpectedly restructured into a different job.

Susan reached out to me a few weeks into her new role as she wrestled with the change. She was feeling anxious about her performance and worried she wasn't learning the new skills fast enough. In particular, she was comparing herself with other colleagues who Susan felt were faster and better at completing the key tasks of the role than she was. Susan was worried she was letting her team down, to the point where she feared her role could be in jeopardy.