My Top 10 List to Staying Optimistic

As I get through month nine of my unemployment, I know that being optimistic is better not only for my chances to find engaging and rewarding work, but also for me to stay healthy. Life’s short as it is, so there is no time to be miserable. However, sending out yet another application, some days seem pretty bleak, and on those days the spring rain does little to lift my spirits.

How does one stay optimistic? Without knowing precisely when the economy will get better by a large amount, the uncertainty can be paralyzing.

While things are down, here are a few thoughts that remind me to keep pushing. Yes, it is hard work to foster and nurture these habits, but practice helps.

Because I like lists, here is mine:

1) If you are not at imminent risk of being homeless and starving, count this as a bonus. Seriously. There are many that aren’t so fortunate. Know your spending limits, know your deadline and get focused on your goal. What if you’ve gone past your deadline? Look at your budget again, make changes and keep looking under every stone for that next position. Even look under the same stones again. Sometimes the ground underneath has changed. You don’t know until you look.

2) Surround yourself with positive people. These can be friends, family, even strangers. Sometimes the best support is from those who don’t know you personally, but those who know exactly what you are facing. Anyone else, limit your contact as much as possible. You can bring yourself down easily enough, so you don’t need help with that.

3) Ignore news reports. Like 2) you don’t need help in being brought down. If the recession is still on, are you going to stop looking for work? No. If it’s over, you should still be looking!

4) Who you know is NOT the only way to get a job. There are examples out there of people who were unknowns, who found the right place that gave them the break they needed. Those places continue to exist. Hard work, interest and attitude make a difference. Use all avenues, including cold calls, to get in the door. You never know when or how that break might come to you. Volunteer with a group you enjoy. You may or may not get direct assistance from that network, but the experience will be good for your own development, and will give you an emotional boost. There is a lot of literature out there, written by “experts” that will tell you the return on investment for various job hunting methods. My favourite is the networking versus cold calling adage. Of course these experts can advise you on how you should spend your time - they make a living off the books you buy from them! If you buy lottery tickets, your chances of winning are even less, so try every method you can conceive, to make a positive connection with a potential employer.

5) Keep trying. (What else do you have to do?) Is this hard work? Of course. So is networking. Don’t listen to anyone who says networking is easy, or will get you a job quickly. I know several talented salespeople – those who I think have the best networks around, and some of them are looking hard for their next position, without it being handed to them. At the end of the day, your skills need to fill a gap. No gap, no job. I believe gaps come and go all the time. Always look for the gaps.

6) Don’t listen to criticism. Trust me; you know deep down if what you are doing isn’t working for you. You have enough that can get you down, so why add to that pile? Create a moat around your mind and only open the draw bridge for good news and positive thoughts.

7) Acknowledge the good. It might sound corny, but in my experience, when I have expected the worst, that’s exactly what I got. Expect the best… and be sure to acknowledge the form it takes. It might be someone unexpectedly helpful and pleasant, or it could be that coveted parking space on a crowded street. No matter how small, just think, you could have been forced to walk five extra blocks, but you weren’t. Be happy for that!

8) Be courteous and pleasant even in the most mundane tasks. It’s amazing how a smile exchanged with a stranger at the grocery store or a spontaneous good-natured comment can go a long way to making you feel better for the rest of the day.

9) Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. I have friends and colleagues in similar situations. Some of them have found work, some of them are still looking. Are you going to give up? No. Be happy for the ones that have found positions and remain helpful to those still struggling. Down the road your actions will be remembered by the right people. Make them noble.

10) Keep reminding yourself of the above. Constantly.

Purpose Of My Blog

With the current state of the world economy, for those employed and unemployed alike, sometimes a little hope goes a long way in this uncertain time. Pessimists will not find solace here.

Stay tuned. More coming soon.....