new job advice

In preparation for starting my new job at Polyvore, my old manager gave me the following advice that may help others starting new jobs.

Ask yourself: "What are you most excited about? What are you most worried about? Why?" The answers to these questions may reveal goals, opportunities for development, and opportunities for impact.

Homework:
-Your perspective will be clouded within a few months of working at your new company. Before starting, write down what you've learned about your company's consumers, what works, and what doesn't work
-Understand what past difficulties you've had in past jobs, and find ways to overcome similar obstacles in your new job
-Write a personal development plan for goals to achieve and skills to develop. Refer back to this plan to get you through the day-to-day grind.
-Finally, imagine your new job as a 6-12 month endeavor that you're "testing out" to remind yourself that you always have a choice to stay or leave your company, regardless of whether you stay for many years.