Feeling depressed or desperate is the number one hindrance to landing a job !!

Below you will find strategies on how to maintain your focus and motivation :

 ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

Remember that things happen for a reason. Challenges and adversities are always learning opportunities and throughout history, there have been many who views adversity as opportunities and stumbling blocks as stepping-stones. This process may very well be your life’s greatest opportunity in disguise.

Be grateful for the wonderful things you DO have in your life right now. No matter how tough times are, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. By asking yourself « what am I grateful for my life right now » ? will completely shift your focus from the negative to a mindset of abundance.

Take responsibility. Focusing your demise on the economy, your ex-employer, or the job market takes away your power and your ability to handle the situation. If you view life as always external factors controlling your results, then you will be disempowered to change your situation.

There is no such thing as failure, only feedback. Successful people have a failure proof attitude and view setbacks as corrective feedback.

There’s always another way. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. When you are not getting what you want, the key is to try a new approach, again and again and again until you get it RIGHT !

Shut out the doomsayers. There’s a saying « misery loves company » and that is why the complaint brigade is so popular. But it is also detrimental to your positive focus. Stay abreast of the news and what’s happening but be very conscious of the negative messages that you are bombarded with in the media. The complaint brigade also includes people in your life who would rather complain, blame and doubt than take action. Stay away from these people. 

ACTION STEPS :

Success and energy are contagious forces. Identify the people in your life who are doing what they love to do, are enjoying their life and taking the action steps to achieve their goals. Make sure you schedule time with them on a regular basis. Their energy and positive approach will « infect » you and give you a boost.

Choose to see the resources that are available. There are many free or reasonably-priced seminars, motivational workshops and forums out there. A key to landing a job is to network, network, network, so attend functions that interest you. Not only will you be learning something, you never know who you may meet that will bring you just the right opportunity.

Learning and growing are very motivating and stimulating human needs. Make sure you invest your time on a daily basis on doing things that enhance your growth. This could mean taking a course, investing in a graduate degree, attending seminars, learning a new skill or reading. There is such an abundance of books available that reinforce a positive mindset. Make it a habit to read on a regular basis.

Find a coach, mentor or support buddy. There are many coaches who provide a valuable service for a fee. A mentor may be someone you know who is already successful in his/ her own right and is open to offering you advice or guidance. A support buddy is someone at your peer level who may be going through a similar experience and you can gain a lot from supporting each other and meeting on a regular basis.

Take time out to contribute. There are so many community endeavors that you can add value to. You have a more flexible schedule therefore ; invest some of your time to non-profit organizations or charities. Not only will you have a chance to showcase your talents and what you have to offer, you will be amazed at the return you will receive. This could be one of the most rewarding things you can do during your job search.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR STAYING MOTIVATED ON YOUR JOB SEARCH : 

Start your day well. The first 30 minutes of your day are golden. The thoughts you think and the actions you take during this critical time affect your performance levels for the rest of the day. Instead getting up late and then hitting the ground running, why not rise a little earlier and plan your day. Listen to some inspiring music or go for a walk with nature. When you start your day well, you will be at your best while you search for the job you deserve.

Set daily written goals. All highly successful job hunters set written goals. Written goals will keep your mind focused on the things that are important to you and keep you feeling positive about your future. If you don’t feel like getting out of bed in the morning to start your job search, you probably have not set clear and compelling goals.

Go first class in your environment. The quality of your life comes down to the quality of your thoughts. To ensure that your thoughts are positive, make sure that your environment is one that motivates you. Keep fresh flowers in your home amd let the sunlight in.

Create a support team. Forming an alliance with other job hunters is one of the best things you can do. Meet once a week with your team and share success strategies. Encourage each other to persist. Share your « war stories ».

Remember the law of averages. Always remember that the more calls you make and the more people you see, the greater are the chances of finding the job of your dreams. Effective job hunting is a numbers game.

Use affirmations. While you are walking to the big interview, softly repeat a few encouraging words to yourself. Affirmations powerfully influence the subconscious mind and improve self-esteeem. Elite athletes use affirmations to prepare themselves for peak performance at the big event. So should you.

Enjoy the process. Job hunting is a time of transition and change. But it can also be a very important time for self-development. Use this period to reassess your goals and evaluate your life. Enjoy the process of finding work. Spend time cultivating richer relationships. Watch a sunrise or take long walks. Remember, success on the job hunt is a journey, not a destination.