Starting a new role is a moment of opportunity and let’s face it, pressure. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership position or joining a new team as an employee, the first 90 days often set the tone for your success.
Leaders are expected to set vision, earn trust, and inspire confidence quickly. Employees are expected to learn systems, prove their value, and integrate seamlessly.
It’s new and exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming.
The Trap of Jumping In Too Fast
Most people approach the first 90 days with urgency: they want to make an impact, impress stakeholders, and move quickly often as a way to prove to themselves “I was the right hire for this role.”
But here’s a common trap: jumping in without pausing to reflect or observe.
The rush to immediately add value to an organization often leads to:
- Stress and burnout
- Decision fatigue
- Missed opportunities to build alignment and clarity
The result? Instead of laying a strong foundation, many leaders and employees find themselves reacting, second-guessing, and struggling to sustain their momentum.
Mindfulness as a Performance Tool
This is where mindfulness makes the difference. Mindfulness isn’t about slowing down or stepping away from performance, it’s about protecting your mental bandwidth so you can perform at your best.
In our Awakening Performance program, we use our G.E.A.R. framework — Ground, Explore, Attune, Resolve to help both leaders and employees navigate the first 90 days with intention and clarity.
The G.E.A.R. Approach to the First 90 Days
Here’s how leaders and employees can apply G.E.A.R. during their transition:
- Ground – Take time to pause and anchor yourself. Remember: you don’t need all the answers on Day 1.
- Explore – Notice how you feel as you adjust. Where do you feel energized? Where do you feel resistance?
- Attune – Pay attention to external factors like team culture, priorities, influencers, and unspoken norms.
- Resolve – Choose how you want to show up each week, and use those intentions to guide your 90-day plan.
This simple process helps you move from surviving onboarding to creating clarity, confidence, and presence in your role.
Why This Matters
When you start a new job mindfully, you:
- Build stronger relationships faster
- Avoid decision fatigue by protecting your focus
- Align more effectively with organizational priorities
- Lead yourself (and others) with clarity under pressure
Mindfulness isn’t a “nice to have” in the first 90 days. It’s a performance advantage.
