Fired Or Fired Up? The Choice Is Yours!

If I pay too much attention to the news, I will find myself getting depressed. Perhaps entertaining feelings of giving up. No, I haven’t lost my job — rather, I can empathize with those who have.

Yet, I know for the person who has recently been fired that it is essential for them to move forward instead of dwelling on their loss. Not to say that it isn’t good to reflect, but only for a little while. Much better off is the person who takes quick and decisive action as that will bring them that much closer to landing a new gig.

Advice For The Newly Unemployed

Lots of people are offering advice to the newly unemployed, but there is no “one size solution” that will fit every job seeker. But there are a few things that I believe can light the fire in the belly of the individual seeking employment including:

Get in a routine — After a few days of rest and reflection, you need to get back in the grind by establishing a daily routine. This means getting up at the same time each morning, going to bed early and using your time wisely throughout the day. This isn’t the time to catch up on your TV watching — you’ll need to make some contacts, people who can help you land your next gig.

Rub shoulders regularly — As easy as it is to stay at home and make your contacts via phone or internet, you’d do well to get out of the house often. Take in a seminar, join a job seekers group (only if the other members are positive), volunteer your services and above all else bring plenty of these wherever you go: business cards.

Stay accountable — Find a friend who can encourage you along the way, a person who won’t allow you to get caught up in a pity party. Allow this person to ask you the hard questions on how you’ve been using your time, your thought life, etc. Be honest with yourself and avoid answering to an enabler!

Reward yourself — If you have been following your daily routine, have been getting out of the house on a regular basis and are staying accountable to at least one special person, then you should periodically reward yourself. No, that does not mean you should run up your credit card nor ignore your other responsibilities, but at the end of the week you should give yourself a “mental health break” and do something really fun for a change.

The Road Ahead

The road back to work can be long or short, bitter or sweet — even costly.  Manage your time wisely and you’ll be that much closer to getting a job, returning to the workforce fired up and ready to go.

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