Hey all! I'm back in action after several weeks of taking trips and visiting old friends. It's been a necessary time to recharge and relax while I work toward beginning a new season. I've been spending my time in between the many mini-vacations job searching and finding that I don't quite enjoy it very much (not a huge surprise). I equate job-hunting to the same level of enjoyment as going to the DMV. They are both necessary evils. They are both like hell on earth. In the end they may feel like the biggest waste of time, and you end up wondering what it would have been like if you would have just never learned to drive. Because then you would have a few less bills to pay and wouldn’t be so desperate for work. As you can see these two activities can go hand in hand.
Looking for a job involves so much waiting and a lot of chirping crickets when you ask for some sort of response. So many sleepless nights wracked with anxiety about whether or not you’ll be able to pay your car insurance this month. And even if you make the effort to check up on any applications you put out there, chances are you may not get the answer you were hoping for. There are so many rejections throughout this process. The whole experience can leave you feeling...drained. Disappointed. Frustrated. Unsure if you’ll even like the jobs you’re applying for. Self conscious of how you are presenting yourself. Fighting the urge to just take a break…why continue on? Daydreaming about what it would be like to just not work and laze around the house all day as your new profession. Not the most practical aspiration (or productive for that matter) but people gotta have dreams, right?
But, there's hope! Though I've never met anyone you enjoys job-hunting (and if there is someone out there please introduce yourself! I’d love to pick your brain to better understand how that’s even a possibility). There are ways to make the process more bearable and dare I say it-fun!
Sometimes looking for a job can become a full time job in itself. And you don’t get paid for that time, unfortunately. In my experience, I’ve found that using a rewards system can be a helpful motivator to complete a less-than-desirable task.
Here are some suggested rewards that can help you celebrate the little victories along your way to finding your dream job (or just a job to keep you going):
If you take the time to look for a job, which can be a huge task, make sure you take the time to applaud your hard work. It can just get harder and more stressful if you don’t give yourself a break throughout this daunting process. Also keep in mind you just need one “yes.” And once you get that yes please make sure to make time for everything on your reward list!
What kinds of things are helpful for you to stay motivated when working through something that isn’t very fun? Do you reward yourself or use a different method to bring about some positive energy to a dreary process?
Looking for a job involves so much waiting and a lot of chirping crickets when you ask for some sort of response. So many sleepless nights wracked with anxiety about whether or not you’ll be able to pay your car insurance this month. And even if you make the effort to check up on any applications you put out there, chances are you may not get the answer you were hoping for. There are so many rejections throughout this process. The whole experience can leave you feeling...drained. Disappointed. Frustrated. Unsure if you’ll even like the jobs you’re applying for. Self conscious of how you are presenting yourself. Fighting the urge to just take a break…why continue on? Daydreaming about what it would be like to just not work and laze around the house all day as your new profession. Not the most practical aspiration (or productive for that matter) but people gotta have dreams, right?
But, there's hope! Though I've never met anyone you enjoys job-hunting (and if there is someone out there please introduce yourself! I’d love to pick your brain to better understand how that’s even a possibility). There are ways to make the process more bearable and dare I say it-fun!
Sometimes looking for a job can become a full time job in itself. And you don’t get paid for that time, unfortunately. In my experience, I’ve found that using a rewards system can be a helpful motivator to complete a less-than-desirable task.
Here are some suggested rewards that can help you celebrate the little victories along your way to finding your dream job (or just a job to keep you going):
- Give yourself 30 minutes for your favorite activity
- Go on a walk
- Read a chapter of your favorite book
- Play with your dog/cat/your friend’s pet
- Make a list of what makes you happy
- Make yourself a delicious snack or meal
- Drink some whiskey
- Make weekend plans to get you out of the house
- Spend the evening with a good friend
- Watch your favorite movie or TV show
If you take the time to look for a job, which can be a huge task, make sure you take the time to applaud your hard work. It can just get harder and more stressful if you don’t give yourself a break throughout this daunting process. Also keep in mind you just need one “yes.” And once you get that yes please make sure to make time for everything on your reward list!
What kinds of things are helpful for you to stay motivated when working through something that isn’t very fun? Do you reward yourself or use a different method to bring about some positive energy to a dreary process?