Handling discouragement

With the gloom and doom on the TV and newspapers daily telling us how bad unemployment is in our country, it’s very easy to get discouraged if you let yourself get to that point (see sub heading of blog title). So we only have a few choices at that point – succumb to the feelings or do something about it.  How you go about it may change your outlook on finding a job

I recommend that you find your own “hot button” – what motivates you?  If you are results driven like I am, then you have to create a framework to work in, then review the results.  I have been subscribing to job sites and getting emails, but only a small percentage of the applications I have submitted are generating replies, and even fewer are turning into actual interviews.  So I’ll have to focus on other options.  My daily routine consists of a light workout at home, go to the coffee shop and socialize (and blog a little), go back home and review the jobs sent to me, follow up on any recent interviews or job possibilities, then study something in a field that my skill sets are in.  For me currently this means updating my Cisco certifications.

Some days though, the daily regement gets very old and I feel like quitting.  Actually, I did that over the weekend.  I got an “I don’t care” attitude for 2 days because “I deserved it”.  Now getting back into my daily routine is even tougher than ever this week.  It’s like going back to the gym after a week off.

I’d love to hear from others and how they handle the job hunt and the “I don’t care” moments.  Take a minute if you would and leave a comment.

Photo courtesy Flickr by btting