Coping with unemployment is extremely difficult. Being
unemployed can be devastating on every level—professionally, psychologically,
financially, and emotionally. So much of our identity and our sense of
self-worth are wrapped up in our jobs and careers. In many ways, we are what we
do, and being unemployed can rock us to the core.
However, you can cope and grow as a person through
unemployment. I know that sounds Pollyanna-ish, but it’s true. It’s not easy,
though. It takes focus, grit, determination, and a little bit of faith to come
through it, but you can do it.
Here are a few tips to help you survive and even thrive
through unemployment:
1. Stay positive. Don’t let yourself fall into despair. You
have to force yourself to remain positive. As corny as it sounds, positive
thinking brings about positive results. Your actions and attitude go where your
thinking goes, so if you are depressed and grumpy and down-in-the-dumps all the
time, that is how you will behave and appear to others. And that’s no good. No
one wants to be around a Debbie Downer, let alone help them find a job.
 |
| Do whatever it takes to stay positive. |
So do whatever you can to keep your spirits up. Make your
physical and emotional health a priority. Take walks, eat right, get enough
sleep, and do whatever it takes to stave off the stress, anxiety, or despair.
2. Stay active and productive. Resist the urge to become a
hermit. Opportunities come from other people, so make sure you stay out and
about in the world and are engaged with activities and projects that keep you
energized, focused, and productive. You never know what chance encounter is
going to lead to your next job or your next lead. But it won’t happen if you
sit home all day.
3. Connect with your network. Again, opportunities come from
other people, so make sure everyone you know is aware that you are on the
market. They don’t necessarily need to know details of your unemployment, but they do need to know you are
looking for a new job. Cast your net wide. Take people to lunch or dinner, have
drinks after work or coffee in the afternoon. Get out there and network.
 |
| Network, network, network. Now more than ever. |
4. Learn a new skill/engage in professional development.
Make this "downtime" a time of learning. The more skills you have the
better off you are and the more marketable you become. This also helps
keep you fresh, energized, and valuable in the workplace. It also expands your
network by introducing you to new people.
Think about what you did in your last position. Were there
skills you needed but never got around to developing? Are there new skills that
can make you even more marketable? Think it through and then take action—now is
the perfect time.
5. Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to keep your
skills sharp, learn new skills, meet new people, connect with the community,
grow your network, and get more business exposure. Volunteering is also a great
way to maintain your self-esteem and lift your spirits. Doing good feels good.
It also gives you something to talk about when people ask you what you have
been working on.
 |
| Now is the perfect time to volunteer. Get out there! |
6. Follow your passion. This is a natural time to reflect on
what you would really like to do. If you have to start over, maybe this is the
time to recreate yourself based on what you love to do. This might be the right time to explore your entrepreneurial side, for example. If so, I recommend The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life by Kimberly Palmer.
7. Help others. Reach out and do what you can to help other
people who are also looking for work. Even if you don’t have a job you may know
someone in a field that could help another person. It's good karma, and it helps
build up your favor bank. Good people help other good people.
 |
| Help others find jobs. It's good karma. |
~~~
Coping with unemployment is
undoubtedly one of the most difficult things an adult has to deal with. Of course,
none of these tips will help you pay the mortgage or put food on the table
immediately. I know that. But by using these strategies your
unemployment can be a time of growth and purpose, and you can come out even stronger.
It’s worth a shot. Good luck!
~~~
To learn more about Careerstone Groups’ programs, please
visit:
To listen to Mary’s radio shows or watch her TV appearances,
please visit: http://www.careerstonegroup.com/media.html
No comments:
Post a Comment