In this social media drenched society, it seems that everyone has to be “poppin”, “lit”, or give the impression that we have it all together. We tend to place unrealistic expectations on ourselves. We hide behind our failures instead of embracing them head-on. We act as if we should be born with a full understanding of how life works. This unrealistic expectation occurs far too often and I am here to tell you “YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”.
I want to talk to you today about the feeling of embarrassment that tends to come with losing a job. You are not the first and you won’t be the last person who has faced this disheartening reality called “unemployment”.
Take this opportunity to reflect on the reasons why you are unemployed. Were you laid-off? Did you get fired? Or did you give your customary two week notice because you were about to go “postal” in the office?! Regardless of the reason, now is the time to self-analyze. It is time to start being intentional about who you are, decide where you want to be in your life and make the necessary changes for a better you.
According to www.businessinsider.com, the average person spends more than 90,000 hours in their lifetime at work! That is 1/3 of your life at work! You do not want to look back on your life and say, “I hated my job, but at least I was able to experience Taco Tuesday or Dress Down Friday every week”. While Taco Tuesday can be pretty awesome, you want to be able to enjoy how you are spending most of your time in and out of work.
Here are a few tips on how to be productive during your unemployment process.
(Note: You can also apply these tips if you are transitioning to another career):
- Create a schedule that outlines your day-to-day activities and stick to it.
- Meditate
- Workout. Trust me this really helps! I feel empowered to accomplish my daily goals after a great workout.
- Complete a self-analysis questionnaire.
- Update your cover letter & resume.
- Search and apply to short-term projects, as well as permanent positions.
- Network, Network, Network!
- Volunteer your time.
- Socialize
- Relax, Rest and Rejuvenate!
Having the opportunity to reset your life is honestly a great thing! Embrace this moment and make the best of it. Be PRODUCTIVE! Talk to friends and family that you trust and pass your resume along. Utilize LinkedIn (I can’t stress that one enough!). Reach out to old colleagues and fill them in on your employment status. Sooner than later you will be excited about Mondays again.
Inserting shameless plug now, LOL…
If you are in need of a Career Coach, you have come to the right place. I will help guide you and provide an authentic approach in setting attainable career goals (with a bunch of humor and fun on the side!). Check out my website: https://alexanderrecruiter.com/career-coaching-services and let’s schedule your 25-minute complimentary introduction session today.
I am excited about your future…are you?
Until Next Time,
Lindsay
