Building Confidence at Work: How Friends, Fashion, and Punctuality Helped Sage Succeed in a New Job

"You have to get a job," said the small Asian man at the ebony black table.

"Why must I get a job? You have enough money to support me," the young girl whined, picking up noodles with her chopsticks.

"Because you're living on your own now, and you said you wanted a year off, we believe you'll only learn to be mature and responsible if you start working," her tiger mom said sternly. "This isn't a free year to spend as much money as you want on my credit cards. I'm not your personal bank, and the money we have is ours, not yours."

Sage learned she would be starting work for her father's friend at a fashion house. At least it was something she was interested in, so it might not be so bad. With her job beginning Monday morning, she decided to have some fun first. As she left the house, she called her college friends and planned to spend the weekend partying. From club to club, changing outfits along the way, Sage had the time of her life.

When Monday morning arrived, Sage was exhausted. It was her first day working for her father's friend at a fashion house. "It won't be so bad," she thought, "but I might as well get up and look amazing to show them what I'm made of." After rummaging through her closet for an hour, she finally found the perfect outfit. Now all she had to do was apply her makeup, take a shower, and style her hair. "I'll be about two hours late," she mused, "and that's not so bad."

"What are you doing here? I thought this was your first day at work," said her lovely redheaded roommate.

"Well, this"—she motioned from head to toe—"doesn't happen overnight. I don't wake up looking like this. I want to look my best for my first day."

She wore a light pink A-line dress with strappy sandals, her hair styled in soft curls.

"I'd prefer it if you weren't late. Aren't you supposed to start at eight? It's already 10 AM."

"I'll just take an Uber. I'll be there in no time. Besides, he's a friend of my father's—practically my uncle. He won't mind if I'm a little late."

Lavender rolled her eyes and continued collecting her stuff for work since her shift started at noon.

When Sage arrived at the office, she was immediately struck by the sheer scale of the building. The entrance was grand and imposing, with high ceilings that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. Large glass windows lined the walls, allowing natural light to flood into the space and illuminate the polished marble floors. The atmosphere was bustling with activity; employees moved swiftly through the expansive lobby, their footsteps echoing against the hard surfaces.

Feeling a bit disoriented due to the office’s massive size, Sage paused for a moment to take in her surroundings. She noticed various seating areas scattered throughout, adorned with modern furniture that invited casual meetings or brief moments of respite. Potted plants added a touch of greenery, softening the otherwise corporate environment.

Despite this inviting ambiance, Sage felt uncertain about where she needed to go. The layout was complex, with multiple corridors branching off from the main lobby area. Signs hung from above, directing visitors toward different departments and facilities, but they only added to her confusion rather than alleviating it.

After a few moments of hesitation, Sage decided to approach what appeared to be a reception area situated directly ahead. A sleek front desk stood prominently in this space, manned by a receptionist who exuded professionalism and warmth. As she walked closer, Sage could see other visitors checking in or asking questions, which made her feel slightly more at ease.

Upon reaching the front desk, she took a deep breath and announced her presence clearly but politely. “Hello,” she said with a hint of nervousness in her voice. “I’m here for my first day of work” The receptionist looked up from her computer screen and smiled reassuringly.

She had expected to meet her father's friend, anticipating a warm welcome and a tour. Instead, she was directed to a back room filled with stacks of papers.

The back room was cluttered with towering stacks of papers that seemed to reach for the ceiling, creating an almost labyrinthine effect. Each pile appeared to be haphazardly organized, some teetering precariously on the edge of wooden tables while others sprawled across the floor like forgotten relics of bureaucracy. The walls were lined with shelves crammed full of binders and boxes, each labeled in faded marker, hinting at their contents but offering no clarity.

At the center of this chaotic scene stood a woman whose expression was anything but welcoming. Her brow was furrowed deeply, casting shadows across her face that accentuated her scowl. She wore a crisp white blouse tucked into dark trousers, projecting an air of authority that contrasted sharply with her demeanor. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, and she tapped her foot impatiently against the floor as if counting down the seconds.

"You're two hours late. We've been expecting you since eight o'clock. Where have you been?"

Being "two hours late" arriving 120 minutes after the expected or agreed-upon time. In a professional context, this is considered a significant delay and is often viewed as disrespectful or unprofessional, especially on one's first day of work.

"Well," said Sage, slightly taken aback by the woman's fierce appearance.

"Here, we start at 8 AM sharp. This is your first warning. If you get another warning for being late, you will be fired. I don't care who you know or who got you this job—everyone else here was on time."

Sage was shocked at how rudely she spoke to her. The moment she sees her dad’s findings, she will file a complaint. We will see who gets fired first. Additionally, she didn’t even compliment her on her outfit; Sage looked super cute today.

“Before you start. Let’s discuss your workplace attire.” The woman said, frowning. As you know, we maintain a casual work environment, and it’s important that your attire reflects professionalism. For tomorrow’s workday, please ensure that your outfit aligns with our casual yet professional standards. ”

Sage spent her day just dealing with paperwork—sorting it, filing it, and stapling it. Honestly, if this is what working at a fashion house was like, she wasn’t sure it was for her. The other team members didn’t even seem to notice her. She ended up taking a late lunch since everyone else got to pick their lunch hours before she did. By the time she finally got to eat, it was already 3 PM. While heading down in the elevator, she ran into her dad’s friends. But when she approached him, he just looked away like he didn’t even recognize her.

Before he turned away, he gave her a quick once-over with a confused look and then went back to his day. Lunch was awkward because it felt like everyone was staring at her and whispering among themselves. Was this all because she showed up late this morning? News spread fast in this place, and it was making her uncomfortable to eat in the cafeteria. So, she decided to take her lunch outside.

She finally got out at 6 PM! I can’t believe I had to go through another day like that. Now I have to face my roommates after I spent all weekend bragging about this awesome job in fashion.

When she got home her roommates were waiting for her. They were so excited to celebrate her first day at work.

“How was it?” said Briar.

“Did they love your outfit?” said Lavender.

Sage was feeling overwhelmed and didn’t really want to share her true feelings. Instead, she just smiled and nodded along, saying “yes” and “no” at the right moments. Eventually, she mentioned that she needed to hit the hay since she had an early start the next day. That night, she was left confused about her perception of work; it was so different from what she had imagined. She wondered why everyone had to wear such dull clothes to fit in and why they all had to be at work by 8 AM.

Sage was struggling with conformity. She felt that changing her personal style could stifle her creativity and individuality. Sage was not a morning person, so the rigidity of traditional work schedules would not work for her.

1. Societal Norms and Conformity

In many professional environments, there is often an unspoken dress code that emphasizes conservatism and uniformity. This can lead individuals to feel pressured to conform to these standards, which may not align with their personal style or preferences. In many workplaces, especially corporate settings, there is a tendency to prioritize a collective image over individual expression, leading some people to feel as though they must sacrifice their uniqueness for acceptance.

2. The 8 AM Work Start Time

The traditional 9-to-5 workday has been ingrained in many cultures as the standard working hours, often starting at 8 AM. This schedule can be seen as restrictive, particularly for those who may have different peak productivity times or personal circumstances that make early mornings challenging.

Back in high school, whenever she strolled in late, the teachers would just shrug it off. She’d get a little slip or something like that, but honestly, everyone loved her vibe. She was always surrounded by a crowd of friends; it felt like she was right at home with them. But now, things had changed—she had become known as the girl who was always late, and it didn’t feel great.

The next morning, as dawn began to break and the first light of day filtered through the curtains, Sage’s phone rang sharply at 6 AM, cutting through the stillness of her bedroom. The sound was jarring, a stark contrast to the soft murmurs of sleep that lingered in the air. She stirred beneath her covers, her mind foggy and reluctant to leave the warmth of slumber.

With heavy eyelids and a sense of disorientation, she reached for her phone on the nightstand, fumbling slightly as she grasped it. The bright screen illuminated her face, momentarily blinding her in the dim light. As she squinted at the caller ID, she could barely process who was on the other end; it felt like an intrusion into her peaceful morning routine.

Sage answered with a groggy “Hello?” Her voice was thick with sleep, each word slow and deliberate as if she were wading through a thick haze. She struggled to piece together thoughts or even remember what day it was.

The conversation that followed would require all her focus, but for now, all she could think about was how early it felt and how much she longed to sink back into her pillows instead of engaging in whatever urgent matter awaited on the other side of the line.

“Young lady” was the first word she heard from her father.

“ Dad”

"I was informed that you arrived two hours late. Do you understand the significance of being on time? This is not just about you; it reflects your respect for others’ time." Her father said. "My friend is doing me a favour or by hiring you. You have no idea how many connections we had to leverage to secure this opportunity for you. Your mother believed this job would suit your interests, but I had other plans"

"Yes, Sir"

“I wanted you to come and work for me in the construction company, where I could guide you and teach you the value of hard work. Instead, I hear about your choice of attire—a pink dress that reveals too much leg and cleavage. Is this appropriate?” He said not expecting an answer.

“I was told that you looked as if you were heading to a party rather than taking this job seriously. Is this truly the person I raised? Is this who you aspire to become? You need to reflect on your choices and their implications on our family’s reputation.” Continued the older man

“No” was all she could reply as tears started to swell, in her almond-shaped eyes.

“Get your act together immediately! If you don’t, you will have no choice but to come work for me, and believe me, it won’t be as glamorous as you think!” He then hung up the phone.

Sage was really heartbroken after talking to her dad. She ended up crying for about half an hour. She knew she had to get it together fast if she wanted to make it to work on time. To make things worse, the idea of possibly working with her dad was stressing her out even more, and she was left thinking about what she should do next.

When a light knock sounded at the door, it pulled her out of her funk.

“Hey, you alright in there?” her roommates called from outside.

“Nope.”

Sage’s friend was really there for her when she needed it. That hug wasn’t just a hug; it showed that her friend understood what she was going through and stood by her side during a tough time. Friends like that are super important because they help us deal with stress and anxiety, especially when it comes to work.

Research indicates that social support can significantly enhance mental well-being, particularly in high-pressure situations like starting a new job.

Sage’s friend helped her pick out outfits that fit the office dress code but still let Sage show off her personal style. They looked at different colors, patterns, and accessories to make sure everything was suitable for work while also being true to who Sage is.

To help with getting to work on time and reducing any stress about it, Sage and her friend came up with a plan so she could consistently arrive at the office punctually each day.

Preparation the Night Before

Preparing outfits and packing lunches the evening prior can streamline morning activities and reduce decision fatigue.

Setting Clear Goals

They discussed specific times for waking up, preparing for work, and commuting, which helped create a structured morning routine.

Through this comprehensive approach involving emotional support from friends, thoughtful wardrobe choices that reflect personal style while adhering to professional standards, and establishing effective routines for punctuality, Sage was able to navigate the challenges of starting a new job with greater confidence and ease.

Let us know what you think!