You worked your way up through the ranks of your peers and continued to show initiative until your boss recognized the ambition gleaming in your eyes. Now you’re the manager. In those first moments, your new title is like a trophy you just can’t wait to display: You earned the coveted position. But soon, you realize that there’s life after the victory lap, and the finish line becomes the starting point of an entirely different journey.

Being the manager comes with serious responsibilities and challenges that aren’t always spelled out clearly. Add on the fact that you’re no longer surrounded by peers going through the same thing, and the learning curve begins to feel a lot steeper. But if you keep your eyes open and start working on a plan, you’ll also find some opportunities to make a real difference in the place you work. Use these tips as you get started to help you figure out your new role:

Click here to read the entire article in the latest issue of Smart Tan Magazine online.