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5 Ways to Stay Motivated in Your Job Search
Tania Khadder | GovCentral
Sit in front of laptop. Lie on couch. Eat pickles for lunch. Back to laptop.
Feel sorry for self. Feel sick of self. Tear hair out in frustration. And … back to couch.
If this is your 9-to-5 routine, you’re probably like 14 million other Americans: unemployed. And in addition to the frustration of looking for work, you might find yourself feeling a little lonely.
Sure, you chat with friends online all day. And you may have a family or significant other who comes home in the evening. But good old fashioned, face-to-face contact with another human being before dinner? Kind of rare these days.
In running my unemployment blog, I’ve received plenty of emails from readers. And although many of them were lighthearted in nature, a number of them were quite the opposite. One of the saddest read: “You’re the first person I’ve spoken to in days.”
Unemployment can make a recluse out of even the most social of butterflies. After all, you want to spend as much time as possible looking for work. And where do you look for work? Online. And where do you go online? At home.
But spending too much time alone can be detrimental, not just to your emotional well-being, but to your job search too! Staying connected with the rest of the world is not a luxury. It’s a necessity!
Work from a coffee shop.
Find a coffee shop with WiFi in your neighborhood (even better if it’s free WiFi!). Grab your laptop and go. You may not be striking up conversations with fellow coffee shop patrons, but it’s nice to be in the presence of other human beings. It’s also nice to have a change of scenery; one that doesn’t include Oprah on mute and swag from your previous employer.
christicollette
over 3 years ago
2 comments
Great Article!
Account Removed
over 3 years ago
All the comments are true, down to avoiding an overpriced cup of joe. But she did allow for a forum
of unemployed a diversion from the state of mind that sets in when one spends too much time isolated.
Alone is one thing. Isolated is another.
However, when I am reemployed, my very first stop on my way home will be to that coffee shop
for a mocha double latte whatever and a double toasted bagel, just butter...
JerryGJones
over 3 years ago
62 comments
If we are unemployed, why would we want to spend money going to a club, sitting in a coffee shop, or wasting gas to go volunteer or meet up with other people. Also, if we are looking for a job, sitting in a room with another job-seeker is not a good idea when you find a job you want...if they are equally skilled, you both might be fighting for the same job.
I think the person who wrote this article (Tania Khadder) has never been out of work. When you are unemployed, you have to cut all extra spending, and telling people to get out of the house, although good for your mood, is bad on the wallet. If you are depressed about trying to find work, you will most likely want to spend money if you get out and about. I have never seen anyone sit in a coffee shop, and NOT get thirsty...and those coffees aren't cheap.
Good effort, but bad idea.
charger68
over 3 years ago
23184 comments
That is all good but at times when you do that you are spending money that you might need for bills, food etc .I think the more job sites that you find and they can send you daily emails on possible openings etc, works also
slvrdeb
over 3 years ago
326 comments
Well it all makes sense in the big scheme of things, just a matter of contining to move forward with your life.
aweyburn
over 3 years ago
2 comments
Exercising has helped me stay sane.
metot
almost 4 years ago
3524 comments
Great... to be always motivated:)
revamania
almost 4 years ago
2 comments
Networking groups sounds like a winner. The key would be finding people within your area.
dystaind
almost 4 years ago
2 comments
One thing I learned from my unemployment time was to keep track of days. Know what day of the week it is and what day of the month. If you get caught in a terrible stupor, you'll feel the days drag and then fly by without warning. I know I felt my worst when I realized 2 weeks then 2 months passed by and I hadn't accomplished much. By keeping track of what day it was and the things I had done, I felt a little better about my productivity in improving myself.
GLamborn
almost 4 years ago
2 comments
More good news! Barnes and Noble now has FREE WiFi. Books, coffee, internet, what more could one ask for? Oh, and sometimes you can get a seat at the cafe or on the comfy chairs if you time it just right. I prefer the cafe chairs. (Less likely to fall asleep...). I have finally taken a P/T job at big box just to get by. Still looking.
buzz55
almost 4 years ago
4 comments
I am spending as much time looking for a job as i am spending on a new venture, if I can not get hired do to age--then I will develop my own opportunity. Good article --be looking for BBoomerJobs.com focused on baby boomers
hlindber
almost 4 years ago
6 comments
keep your positive attitude, even if you are called or emailed that you are not selected. I have finally received some encouragement after 8 consevutive weeks of searching, applying, submitting my updated, revised, updated again resume. Don't give up! We are among thousands just in a bad spot in our lives right now. This too shall pass....
Maria1971
almost 4 years ago
242 comments
thank you very much for the ideas!
jlburak
almost 4 years ago
12 comments
Thanks for the ideas. They are not new, but when things are stale, our creative minds have tunnel vision. I plan on contacting some nonprofit friends about volunteering. I'm on a board already, but that's once every other month. Thanks....and how about a beer instead of an apple martini? Jason B.
chickawayc
almost 4 years ago
20 comments
Good article because it has become hard to even want to go out in public. I think this then becomes bad for interviewing purposes.