Where is the stress-less time we promised ourselves as we lay back with our toes baking in the sun-kissed Bermuda sun. Once returning to the everyday, vowing to change our ways to achieve greatness and time for everything needed in our 24-hour day? Once we are back at the office or natural habitat it all becomes subjective but sought after as we look for remedies to quelch what ails us in our own little worlds.
For those still unemployed are you kicking yourself for who you thought you were from the last role you played at your former occupation, allowing others to define you on paper instead of doing something positive to highlight your own skills and potential, moving forward? As productive as your day may be, can you take it to the next level?
While there may be a bevy of cures out there for the working lot. Today I offer those who are still facing huge unemployment, an improved habit forming checklist that may help you see green instead of red. Offering a bit of relief for the masses of gainfully employed, some mental shelter, needed for when time seemingly is not on your side.
First up is a dose of reality for those sleepy heads we love to alarm (ok, annoy) until they see the benefits of decrusting and deodorizing for a brighter day!
1. Get Up!-The best part of your day starts with a reasonable rise. No more late to the office mentality. Rid yourself of the negative personal quips to yourself citing the obvious, that you are unemployed "so it does not matter what time I get up".
While we are on the subject, your last thought before a good night's rest is just as important as the positive energy you feed your mind during the more active parts of the day. At bedtime, start reading a book that will help you retain joy for the next day. Choosing subject matter that appeals to your intellect. Instead of random television scannings for signs of something interesting, choose a movie or target programs specific for a career path that you have outlined for yourself. Public stations are awesome for that very purpose. Many wonderful chefs, authors and inventors got their start on public access channels. Take a moment to review good ideas that may spark new interests.
2. Organize-This is a word that reduces many to a writhing pile of goo. Get over it and get moving. Sometimes our thoughts are not the clearest when we are experiencing pain, disappointment or disparagement. Habits we never thought possible start creeping in. We are piling empty food containers on the kitchen counter. Dishes are piling up in the sink. Allowing laundry to escalate to Mount Rushmore capacity. Before the job loss we were working on clutter reduction but now figure why bother. We devalue our personal efforts and side on being late for everything. These are not so subtle ways of acting out on negative emotions. Don't let this situation of being unemployed swallow you whole. You can beat this.
Pull those clothes out of the closet that you intended to take to the consignment shop or other platform like Craig's List to make some deal revenue. Set up an eBay account. You would be surprised how much money you can make on things you deemed unworthy of another spin cycle. Got art? Or know how to paint, draw? Save some time between job searches to create a niche. Could there be a new business in it for you especially if you are even a little computer savvy. Use an hour or two a day. Find an everyday product that could use a makeover and voila! New invention!
3. Do Your Homework-How you view yourself when applying for a job can help or hinder your end result. Write down the types of jobs you honestly qualify for. Now take it a step farther. Make it your aim to find free courses through state or federally funded programs such as your state's department of labor, urban leagues and job banks that feature in-class or online courses. There is a wide range so check out what works best for you. Actually take the time to schedule your researching of ads, making phone calls and applying online for jobs. Contemplate what type of opportunities you want to take advantage of.
Unless there are certain things taking up your morning try scheduling interviews in the A.M. Not only does it show you are really trying to find a job but it may free you up to do other things like building an online business.
4. Keep A Journal-This step may sound a bit silly but once you are reemployed you will see your steps as growth spurts, triumphs you can look back on with fondness and encouragement on what you were able to do when facing crisis, self-esteem issues or general discouragement that may occur when one is laid off. Chart how you felt when you were "let go". How you retained dignity through the rehiring dirge. See each interview as a way to network not just answering a few base questions to ace your chances of winning the job.
5. The Working Force-Time management 101-Reduce the late night televison watching-sorry Jay Leno! What! you say?! I revisit this because it needs a second reminder. A high contributor of after mealtime munchies and the inevitable weight gain that insues is directly contributed to midnight television viewing hours, specifically between midnight and two a.m.
Take away my time of peace and tranquility? Nope.Have a set time to retire for the evening without distractions-yes I am aware that many have children. Our good example and training of our children sets the trend of the household and believe it or not saves us time. Kids take after us. We keep long hours they may feel it is ok too.
Another time killer-trantrums. You are the adult and it is time for you to act like one. Don't allow melodramatic television programming to impede your house rules. Imputing bad motives that rear their ugly head as the spoiled actors in our lives take center stage in the grocery store, sprawled out for the world to see until they get their way. Now you have to talk them down from whatever influence they absorbed. If they can draw that kind of attention teach them basic skills that can really make money.
Stop wasting crucial opportunities. Think about the downside. Can you imagine your boss or potential employer encountering the side show antics of your child? How could you express your value as a leader if the home embers are dimming out? Establishing respectable boundaries without dictatorship and you might turn time-wasted disciplining into worthwhile, meaningful, resourceful gain. Our children need our love and support and when needed, our discipline. More importantly they need us to teach them the fundamentals. Giving them a foundation beyond their comprehension right now will aid in formulating their adult years as they look for work or building a family of their own.
Get your kids involved in age appropriate activities. Find enjoyable hobbies that teach responsibility. Show them how to earn their allowance. Not just a sport or activity to keep them busy after school or out of your way for a while.
Prince of Tides- We all experience undercurrents and become needy for tides of cure. How to get and keep your head in the game is up to you but isn't it worth it to offer your best by creating and keeping a good schedule, setting long and short term goals? Sure it is. We are all workers whether we get paid steady or not. Once awakened we emerge as living, breathing, thinking beings of change and survival. Make your next step a good one and let me know how you are managing your time.
All the best to you on your thought-life plans!
Dawn