Between Expectations and Reality: My First Month as a Solution Consultant at Planisware

The first months in a new job are rarely easy—especially when starting as a Solution Consultant in a complex and demanding environment.

Now, after my first month at Planisware, I’ve realized: it’s less about being good immediately, and more about learning how to learn properly.

An Environment You Could Only Wish For

From the very beginning, I was impressed by the atmosphere in the company.

An open and respectful culture. Colleagues who take the time to explain things. A structured yet diverse onboarding with trainings, simulations, and real project insights.

On top of that, exciting events and a team that is not only strong professionally, but also genuinely approachable.

Objectively, everything feels ideal.

And that’s exactly why an unexpected feeling emerged: Why don’t I feel the way I thought I would?

The Inner Conflict: When Learning Feels Like Falling Behind

While others seemed to progress quickly, I often felt:

• I need more time to understand things

• I ask more questions than others

• I am less efficient

• My progress feels slower

What made it difficult wasn’t the learning itself, but the feeling behind it: Shame.

Shame for needing help. Shame for not being able to “deliver” immediately. Shame for not yet being the person I want to become.

At some point, it stopped feeling like simple uncertainty — and started to feel like a block.

A Key Realization: It’s Not About Ability, But About System

With some distance, I began to understand:

The real issue is not that I am “not good enough.” It’s that I don’t yet have a clear system to turn knowledge into application.

I understood many things—but processed too little actively. I listened—but didn’t structure my thinking enough.

And that makes all the difference.

From Passive Understanding to Active Application

I’m not at the point where I can say, “I’ve solved this.”

But I’m starting to understand the direction I need to move in.

What I’m currently developing for myself is a simple framework:

For every new topic, I ask:

• What problem is this actually solving?

• How does the solution work at a fundamental level?

• In which situations would I apply this?

The challenge is not writing down these questions—but consistently applying them in daily work.

And that’s exactly what I’m working on right now.

Learning in Consulting Is Not a Competition

Another perspective I’m trying to internalize: Progress is not equally visible.

Some people appear fast—but may only understand things on the surface. Others are quieter—but build deeper understanding.

I still catch myself comparing. But I try to remind myself:

The only question that matters is: Am I clearer than yesterday?

Asking for Help Is Not a Weakness

A thought that has been holding me back:

“If I ask too many questions, I’m less competent.”

Rationally, I know that’s not true. Good consultants ask questions to understand.

But emotionally, it still feels different.

So this is not something I’ve “fixed”—but something I am actively working on:

Seeing help not as weakness, but as part of the learning process.

And learning how to ask better questions—not passively, but with structure and thought.

Small Steps, Big Impact

I haven’t made major changes yet—but I’m starting to shift my approach.

What I’m currently focusing on:

• Not trying to understand everything at once, but truly grasping one thing per day

• Not trying to be perfect, but learning to think clearly

• Not trying to contribute immediately, but becoming visible step by step

These are not results yet—they are a direction.

Where I Am Today

I am still at the beginning. I often feel uncertain. I still compare myself too much. I am not yet as structured or efficient as I want to be. But I have started to question how I learn.

And maybe that is the first real step.

My goals:

• To think more structured

• To understand connections better

• To speak up more confidently

And most importantly: I am no longer completely stuck—I am starting to move.

Conclusion: Growth Rarely Feels Good—But It’s Real

The first months are not a test you have to pass. They are a process you have to understand.

I’m not where I want to be yet. I haven’t changed everything.

But I’ve started to look at things consciously.

And maybe that’s where everything begins.

Sometimes progress is not about being faster—but about staying, even when it feels difficult.

If I take one thing away, it’s this:

I’m not behind. I’m in the process of building.