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Ten
Tips for Surviving and Recovering from Job Loss
(or Any Other Loss)
Debbie
Brown, SPHR, MBA, MSW
In
the past two years many people have lost their jobs. And
for some they have also lost their reason for getting up
in the morning. What's the rush? They have all day to accomplish
the few things on their "to-do" list.
So
they stop exercising. And they get up late. And they wonder
how they would ever be able to work full-time again and
still have time to go to the dentist and run errands.
No
time to exercise, but plenty of time to overeat?
It's
that old saying that the busiest people get the most done.
Sometimes after a period of great activity
or emotional stress, we need time to rest. But even then
we benefit from maintaining our daily routines, the ones
that keep us grounded.
This
can happen when you are in a personal crisis, as well as
a job crisis. These are the times when we must exercise
some discipline.
1.
Maintain your routines. Get up at the same time and go
to bed at the same time, even though you are not working.
Stay busy. Use any extra time you might have to clean out
closets and get organized. Are there projects around the
house that need your attention?
2.
Keep to your regular exercise regimen. If you did not exercise
before you lost your job, now is a good time to start.
Do something you enjoy - play basketball, or tennis, join
a gym and get a personal trainer, take up yoga. There are
all sorts of exercise options today. And exercise is a
great stress reliever.
3.
Eat regular, healthy meals. Focus on getting good nutrition
to help you in these stressful times. Try to limit "comfort
food."
4.
Set daily and weekly goals for your job search and recovery.
Focus on the results you want to accomplish. Don't spend
all your time sitting in front of the computer (or the
TV). Job search is a contact sport. Get out of the house!
It will help your morale as well.
5.
Plan the activities you resist the most for the first part
of the day. Reward yourself at the end of the day for all
you have accomplished. Plan a special dinner with your
favorite foods, or rent a movie.
6.
Set goals for your personal life as well. Make social plans
with friends every week.
Make a list of things you like to do but have not done in a long
time. Make time for those activities. Just because you aren't
working doesn't mean you can't have fun!
If money is an issue, there are lots of low-cost activities.
Hiking, playing games, or organizing a pot-luck supper are fun
and inexpensive.
7. Be gentle with yourself. Don't push too hard, but get "in
the flow."
9.
Surround yourself with positive people, those who can support
your efforts.
10.
Be persistent. As you work your plan, reevaluate it and
make changes when necessary.
How
to Make the Career Changes You Want Sooner (rather than
later)
Debbie
Brown, SPHR, MBA, MSW
Prospective
clients often ask me, "How long does the career counseling/coaching
process take?" Part of the answer has to do with the kind of
changes you want to make: a minor transition versus a major
career change, developing a career development plan or improving
your own job performance. There are many other factors as well.
The traditional rule of thumb for finding a job is that it
takes one month for every 10K that you want to make. The recent
economic recovery has been referred to as a "jobless recovery." This
means that there are fewer jobs than there were in the boom
of the 90's. Fewer jobs also equates to more competition for
jobs. And the job search process may take longer as well depending
on the kind of job you want, your salary requirements and your
skills. This makes it even more important that you follow the
rules of action I suggest:
. Be clear about what you want. Have a vision and set some goals with dates of
achievement. But be realistic and flexible as well. Make adjustments when needed.
. You have to know what you want before you can develop a plan to get there.
The assessment process is crucial. Know what you need to be successful. And it's
not just about the kind of job you want and how much money you want to make.
It's also about lifestyle. The job has to fit into the life you want. This is
your opportunity to create that life.
. Focus all of your efforts in the direction of those goals. Anthony Robbins
calls it "taking massive action." Massive action is exactly what it takes. This
is a part- time job and should be treated accordingly.
. Be persistent. The clients of mine who achieve their dreams are those who know
what they want and who persist despite discouragement. Persistent people make
the phone calls. Even if people do not call them back. They don't give up. They
keep a clear vision of what they want and continue with the process even if things
go slowly.
.I have often remarked to my clients, "What is the alternative?" (to
not taking action). If the pain of not taking action is strong
enough, chances are you will continue to move forward. But you
also have to see pleasure in what is ahead of you. The life you
envision is better than what you have now!
. I can't emphasize enough the role of keeping a positive mental attitude. This
does not mean constantly having a smile on your face. Nor does it mean that you
never have a bad day. It means that despite discouragement, you persist and expect
a positive outcome. It means living with the uncertainty and expecting something
wonderful, even if you are not sure what that is.
"If you can find a path with no obstacles,
it probably doesn't lead anywhere."
Frank A Clark, author Do what you can, with what you have,
where you are
