By James Wright. Unapologetically Obsessed with.
During the first month of unemployment, many individuals experience fear and anxiety but are still able to stay optimistic about what is in view just beyond the horizon. By the time a person has been unemployed for 6 months or longer, fear and anxiety can find company with desperation, helplessness and a constant questioning of one’s self-worth. And none of these traits scream “hire me” to any potential employer which can add months to an already difficult situation.
Here are 7 life hacks I have learned to staying inspired and motivated during periods of longterm unemployment.
1) Inhale Slowly & Deeply, Then Release. Oprah once said, “So stop. Go mindless. Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” It is sometimes hard to focus on yourself in the here and now when you’re concentrating on the pressures of tomorrow. Take a moment to listen to your body. What does it need? Are you exercising regularly? Are you eating foods that resolve both your hunger while adding fuel to your brain? Do you have a meditation routine and/or attend a weekly religious service? Being a better you takes more than just learning how to interview for that next job opportunity. It takes being prepared in mind, body and spirit. All are equally important.
2) Affirm Daily That You Are Smart, Kind & Important. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. The time for self-doubt and being overly critical is over. Yes, we all can improve but I believe Marianne Williamson explains it best when she says,
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
3) Ignore The Negative. Even some of your closest friends and family members have the potential to share seemingly small negative thoughts as you are looking for that next great job opportunity. You must continually seek to surround yourself with individuals who support and encourage you. Words carry great weight and have a tremendous amount of power. Choose to engage with others whose words align with the positive.
4) Invest In Yourself. It is unfair to ask others to invest in your success if you are not willing to do the same. This means using your time and finances wisely to learn new skills, have a professional service rewrite your résumé and yes, invest in new business cards for those weekly networking events I know you are already attending. If you truly believe that you are a priority, you will make it so.
5) Live A Life Of Giving. Each one of us is uniquely positioned every 24 hours of every day to be helpful to someone else. It could be as grandiose as lending your expertise to a potential company’s project, volunteering your time at a local non-profit aligned with your passion or something as simple as connecting one person in your network to another. Whatever the gesture, do it. I firmly believe that whatever you put into the universe will always cycle itself back to you. Never forget that your talents were meant to be shared. And by helping others, you are also keeping your skills marketable and exponentially increasing your network.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
6) Beware Of The Content You Consume. Instead of checking out the latest slasher film at the local theater, why not focus your sights on something positive? From 14 Videos To Inspire You To Greatness in 2015 to The 5 Most Memorable Commencement Speeches Delivered by Women, you are never too far away from resources that are tailored to inspire. Stay clear of the ‘Sad Love Songs’ playlist and instead make tracks like Pharrell Williams’ Happy your life’s theme music. No matter what new job opportunity comes along, your true happiness should never be defined by it.
7) Create Memorable Milestone Moments. Even on the most conservative of budgets, it is important to earmark funds that allow you to periodically escape the day to day work of securing your next role. Spend time reconnecting with friends and ex-colleagues over breakfast or an inexpensive lunch. If you finally secured the interview of your dreams, reward yourself. You might consider a 30-minute foot massage at the local spa or treating yourself to that 15-minute chair massage. Whatever the activity, make it memorable and special.