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| 10 Ways to Stay Motivated During a Layoff |
By:
David Hobbs |
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(c) David Hobbs
Tough times, aren't they, America? Heck, for the rest of the world too. Record unemployment means most of us know, however distantly, somebody who is out of work or is facing the possibility of losing a job. In some cases, we are that person ourselves. That's what I'm facing, an eventual layoff as the company I work for sells off in bits and pieces.
The good news is that we're starting to see the faint hint of light at the end of the tunnel. News outlets and economists would caution I should use the words "may be starting to," but I figure we were almost 8 months into a burst bubble, credit crisis and recession before any of them committed to admitting that was the case, so I don't think I'm jumping the gun much in saying things are on an up swing (or, at least, no longer precipitously tumbling down.)
The important thing is knowing what to do while we're still on the downside of this particular economic cycle so that we might weather it and make it through to the other end. There's been plenty written about how to find jobs and how to interview, so I won't rehash that here. Obviously, if you will soon be out of a job or are currently out of a job, finding a new one is your number one priority.
But even the most motivated among us can only invest so much time during the day on job hunts (curse those HR people for needing sleep) and that leaves plenty more hours in the day during which depression, waning hope and the terrible uncertainties we face can absolutely wreak havoc on our mental well being. It's important to know how to avoid that trap because staying positive and focused is critical to your future success.
What follows is a list of ten things to do when facing a layoff. Some of the suggestions might surprise you but, again, this is about being prepared and staying positive, motivated and energized in the weeks or months during which you will be searching for new work.
If you haven't yet lost your job but know it's coming, take care of critical home repairs. While spending money sounds like a bad idea, at least you still have money coming in. Far better you fix things that MUST be fixed now than have to dip into your dwindling savings once you've been let go. Critical repairs can range from leaky roofs to broken air conditioning (summer is almost here). Basically, anything which, left unresolved, can lead to substantial misery. In my case, it's going to be our failing air conditioning.
Get critical car repairs out of the way. You'll likely need your car for the job interviews you'll be going on soon. If you've been ignoring that nagging check engine light for the last week or two, get your car in the shop NOW while you can still afford to get the work done. Try being out of work and unable to get anywhere without begging for a ride and see how long you manage to stay upbeat.
Get in touch with old friends and colleagues. Don't open with, "hey, I'm about to (just did) lose my job and your name came to mind." Keep the conversation light and social. Find out how their kids are doing. Consider not even mentioning your job situation at first but schedule another chat or a get-together for lunch and break the news then. Your objective isn't to use your associate for a handout but to get your story out there. Perhaps they know of an opening or perhaps they know somebody who knows somebody.
Create a budget and commit to sticking to it, saving as much cash in an emergency fund as you can before the axe drops. You're about to have some free time on your hands or, if already let go, you already have free time. Don't fall into the trap of "mood" shopping. That's defined as going out and buying things you don't need because at least spending a few bucks leaves you feeling treated. By planning expenses and purchases, and sticking to your plan, you can stretch your savings further. Now is also a good time to review those automatic withdrawals you're usually barely cognizant of and ensure you don't have money going out for some old email account you haven't used in years.
Make a priority list consisting of "must haves" and wants. To further stretch your savings, take a cold hard look at reality and realize that a flat screen TV is not a must have item. It is a pleasure you should pass by until you have a steady stream of disposable income rolling back in. This is a hard step to take because it requires you to honestly face your circumstances head on. But by listing what are really just impulse or self-treating purchases and vowing to avoid them, you are preparing yourself to endure your situation should it draw out longer than you'd like.
Evaluate your career options. Is it time to retire, rewire or go back to doing the same thing? A layoff or an impeding layoff is the perfect opportunity to think about how you've spent 8-12 hours of every weekday (and some weekends) and decide if more of the same is really what you're looking for. Some careers have built in flexibility. An IT manager, for example, needn't limit himself to only considering IT related management roles. Alternatively, maybe now is the time to invest your time and energy in that home business or web-based business you've been doing part time to see if you can really get it off the ground. For my part, I'm working very hard on some internet projects.
Catch up on DIY home projects. After you've circled your job options, called some recruiters, sent out your resume and taken care of your interviews for the day, you have free time. Don't spend it in a dark room with only the glow of the television for company, worrying about your situation or you WILL become depressed and lose your motivation. Inexpensive home improvement projects are a great way to keep busy and get some things out of the way that will leave you feeling productive and positive.
Exercise like never before. It costs nothing but the ROI (return on investment) is tremendous. Did you know that thinner people are more likely to be hired than heavier people? I know, it's disgusting and unfair, but it's also a fact. Not only will exercise help you get hired, it will help pass the hours of the day. Of course, there are also the obvious benefits to your health. Not only will you feel better physically, exercise will also help you stay mentally and emotionally charged. You can keep costs down by jogging outside (yes, people still do that) and by doing weight free exercises such as climbing stairs (there are non-mechanical versions all over the world) or doing push-ups and calisthenics. Even if this doesn't help you land a job, think how much better you'll feel going down a couple dress sizes or belt sizes.
Volunteer to help others. Even though you need help yourself, giving back to the community can do great things for your mental health. Did you know, chemically, people gain more pleasure from giving than they do receiving? Use this opportunity to do some good in the world. Not only will you reap some genuine karma, but volunteer activities always look good on a resume. And, yes, even this is networking. Even if you're helping out the needy and homeless, you will meet plenty people who are employed and doing volunteer work in their spare time. One of them might just have the perfect job for you.
Recharge by taking a vacation. File this one away under the "is he kidding" heading. But, no, I'm not kidding. Sure, the trip to Hawaii might be off the table, but that doesn't mean you have to live like a monk. A camping trip to another state may cost you little more than the gas required to get there providing you're willing to cut some corners and drag the tent out of storage. Getting out and away from your problems can help you see your circumstances from a new (and often better) perspective. And the kicker is, while the idea of canned spaghetti, meats and mac & cheese may be unappealing when you're stuck at home waiting for the results of your latest interview, the stuff tastes positively heavenly when enjoyed by a campfire in the wilderness with your loving family for company. You can further offset expenses by joining with friends and sharing the costs.
Stay up beat, stay positive, stay focused and stay busy. Limit your down time as much as possible. While some time spent meditating on your current circumstances can lead to positive results, simply dwelling on your misfortune can have a negative influence on your ability to turn things around. Nobody wants to hire a depressed person who weeps uncontrollably during an interview. Hopefully these ten suggestions will have you presenting a happy, positive and motivated attitude interviews will find contagious and appealing.
Best of luck to you all!
When not resting his aching back in an adjustable air bed, David is busy doing DIY projects around the house, hunting for a job and writing for blogs like http://www.airmattressbedsguide.com.
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