For many reasons this question has been on my mind. With the job market as it is and nothing on the near horizon, I have had to make some adjustments.
The first adjustment is my state of mind. Don’t panic! Being out of work is not the end of the world and as every week goes by I have more proof that there is life after being laid off!
The second adjustment is my plan. Don’t panic! I say that again because finding a job has always been a knee jerk reaction and now is not the time. Plan and have a strategy. If I am not quite sure what I am doing than I take moment or a few days to figure it out. I can still change the plan but I have a plan.
The third adjustment is my availability. Don’t panic! Just because I am available does not mean I can’t do anything to fill that time. I get in my head that I need to wait and be available. No way! I am getting out there and doing all the things I have wanted to do! All the things I said I would do if I had the time. Now I have the time and as long as those things are affordable I am doing them.
The fourth adjustment is my image. Don’t panic! The thought of being concerned about my image gave me images of the “stuck-up” girls I went to school with. No way! Well I am wrong. It is all about the package and if I look good on paper but my picture on LinkedIn is from my last vacation 6 years ago. Do you think you would hire me? I asked myself that question and my answer was not good. I went and had pictures taken of myself and the process was hard but worth it. I now own 37 pictures of myself and I like every single one. Now my picture and my experience match the image I am packaging.
The fifth adjustment is my white space on my resume. Don’t panic! I have a lot of fellow job seekers that are in the same spot and we all have a lot of white space! I am now listing what I am really doing with my time. Everything that I am doing relates to a job somehow. It is all about the words and I am learning.
The sixth adjustment is my conversations. Don’t panic! Wait, panic about conversations? Yea, conversations! What do I tell people about not working? No working has been a source of embarrassment for me. I am old school and I have always had a job. Now things are different and not working should not be a source of embarrassment for me. Big adjustment but I am making it.
The seventh adjustment is my view of myself. Don’t panic and don’t fear change! Things will never go back to the way they were but I think they will be better because I am better.
Thanks for listening!
You are inspiring others. I’m not surprised.
Gordon,
You are the one that made this post happen! You gave me the most amazing pictures and I will never be able to truly thank you for that gift! You brought inspiration into my life when I needed to step it up a notch. Thank you!
Kimba:
I enjoyed reading your piece. Quite thoughtful and inspiring. It really all boils down to our attitudes.
Joblessness should never equate to hopelessness! As you rightly stated, it may just be the time you’ve always wished you had to do the things you’ve always wanted to do, but had little or not time.
What better time to volunteer and get involved in your community by investing your time/talent in the lives of others. You just never know when/where the next “big thing” will happen in your life!
Remain positive and hopeful….best wishes!
~Joan
Joan,
That was quite thoughtful of you! Thank you for the comment & the best wishes! I appreciate both!
Kimba what a great blog! I especially like your seventh comment– things will never be as they were– the world is changing and this reset in the job market was bound to happen. But your best point is that we are what we think we are…. You WILL be better and that will make the next situation better. I’m out there “kissing a lot of frogs” and this is really the time to appreciate what you are, what you can do and what you want to do next. Your blog is inspirational– hang in there!
Susan,
Thank you for your kindness! I know we all can do this but it sure helps when others agree & support! Let me know when your frog turns into a prince!
Read you blog and can’t agree more. I spend my days looking for a new position and networking for new contacts I have been at it for 2 months. I have also entertained new activities that I have never done before, such as joining the Rotary club and volunteering. I have so much time to fill that I never had the chance to do this before. Fortunately, I have severance, not everyone is so lucky. I worry about the stress, when that runs out.
I have been at it for 7months now and I am finding my time management skills are going out the window! My calendar is very busy with things I enjoy doing and my new job of looking for a job!
The stress is very hard to push through so set up some good distractions! Let me know if anything happens for you and connect with me on LinkedIn!