Adjusting to anyplace new is both invigorating and scary all at the same time. Everything is new and EVERYTHING IS NEW. It’s amazing what creatures of habit we become.

For nearly the past six years, my home away from home was 500 Harrison Ave. in the South End, first working for Sonicbids and then for an agency. I parked in the same lot, grabbed lunch at the same local spots (Meyers and Chang, anyone?) and had my favorite wine by the glass at Cinquecento.

Image by Flazingo Photos used under CC license. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124247024@N07/

I joined the PAN team in January as a VP in the tech practice.

When you decide to make a move, you spend the majority of time focusing on the opportunity (as it should be!) and not as much thinking about all of the change that’s about to come – new job, new people, new clients, new processes and a whole new “home.”

One of the privileges of working in PR is the interactions you have with truly interesting people, in particular the founders and CEOs of companies. You get to hear their stories – why they decided to start a company; how to build a great company culture; their number one lessons for aspiring CEOs, etc.

While they all bring different perspectives and experiences to the table, there’s a resounding theme in their stories– you’ve got to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. That’s where the growth happens.

On week two at PAN, I had a slight moment of panic – the EVERYTHING IS NEW moment. That’s when I started channeling the wise words of these folks. Get outside your comfort zone; be comfortable being uncomfortable.

• Nurture your relationships. At the end of the day, we’re in the relationship business – relationships with our clients, the media and our peers. Taking the time to build internal and external relationships truly is the foundation for success
• Every company has its own style. Indoctrinating yourself into a company’s processes can be intimidating at first. But as you’re navigating through, you realize it really is that simple – just a new way of doing things.  No more, no less.
• We have great clients. There is no role more important at an agency than servicing our clients. We have great ones here at PAN. Our clients are what make our jobs both interesting and exciting.
• It really is all about the people and culture. And PAN is tops in both. I’m surrounded by a team of smart, talented and funny people who know how to work hard and play hard. I’m learning something new from my team members every day. I love that.
• It’s easy to become creatures of new habits. What feels scary in the first month starts to feel like old hat in the third.  I can truly say that just a few months into the job, I’m feeling right at home here at PAN.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I started at PAN during the craziest winter on record. I really did question if it would ever stop snowing. Turns out, it has (shhh… don’t tell Mother Nature). So here’s to spring – another new beginning!