You Deserve A Break Today.....

In my recent post, my friends commented that I need to take a break, that I am working to hard.  Take advantage of the time off. It will come when the time is right.  Yes, that is all true.  I want to enjoy the time off as much as I can, however, the reality always comes down to finances.  If I didn't have to worry about my children's education and the cost associated with it, this down time would not be such a critical burden.  I also would love a break from this mode I am in.  You know I even have nightmares about jobs, postings, recruiter conversations, etc.  It's scary.  Of course how do you get away without incurring costs associated with travel.  I do have two airline vouchers that I need to use up.  I should put them to good use.  But there are two factors holding me back.  1)  I need my husband to take time off work and 2) what to do with the boys....

I wish that all I had to do was follow the yellow brick road.....  I know that if I could follow the yellow brick road, the great and powerful Oz would be able to help me, I just know it. 

I told you I was dreaming.....

So, perhaps I should listen to Ronald McD and get up and get away......

Let's see where my vouchers can take me.... and please not to the golden arches (LOL).

Motivation

Today, I seem to be lacking the motivation that I need.  Especially to finish my training courses that I started a while back.  I did manage to apply for a few more positions, but right now it just seems like a numbers game.

I have followed some of the guidelines that I learned about in order to get a job.  Networking being one of them.  However, I have not tried cold calling at all.  In my opinion, cold calling reminds me of how people react when they hear from a telemarketer.  The person was interrupted from their work to answer what I call a "sales" call.  I haven't even tried to cold call someone whose name I got as a referral.

I know that my motivation level is not where is should be and that does have a tremendous impact on how we carry out a successful job search.

So the question remains, How Do I Increase My Motivation Level?

One thing I know is that writing does help motivate me as well as reading.  A support network is also important in staying motivated.  My husband does a great job supporting me with motivation, but sometimes that is not enough.  I try to reach out to others, but those that are employed seem to busy to assist me in my job search efforts.

Rejections from employers or failure to find work can have a serious effect on our ability to remain motivated.  Its difficult to remain neutral when you receive an rejection letter, even if it is a "template" letter.

Job searching alone can be a difficult and mind-boggling task. That is why it is important to keep focused on the rewards of a successful career, and not on the challenges that you encounter throughout your job search.

I am thinking about writing down my job search goals each week.  Maybe make a list of people that can help provide encouragement.

Remember that this is your life and nobody can live it. You are in charge of realizing your full potential, but the key is persistence. And persistence is based on determination, which is driven by your motivation.

Just like the Book The Little Engine That Could "I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I know, I can....."

The Power of Positive Thinking

It is Sunday evening, and it was a very hot day reaching over 100 degrees.  Steve and I started out the day at our local Starbucks sharing some much needed quiet time together.  Steve always manages to see the positive in every situation.  So the fact that he has such a positive outlook inspired me to write about the power of positive thinking.

There are definitely benefits to thinking positively, although its not easy to hold on to that concept.  Creating a positive outlook will help sustain you during trying times in your lives.

Knowing yourself is key to staying positive.  Being a positive thinker can help you maintain harmony. Surround yourself with positive people.  The old idiom of "Misery loves company" is so true.  I have seen miserable people who are miserable makes those around them want to be miserable too.

So, while you are engaged in the job search, relax and take frequent breaks throughout the day.  Read, write and count your blessings. 

If you stay positive your days will continue to get better.

Persistence Is?

Today I started thinking about what does it take in today's world to get across to potential employers that you are the right candidate for the job. I have been told that being in the right place at the right time can largely amount to being the right candidate. Let's face it, who you know is more important that what you know.

I also know that for some employers you may not hear from them for extended periods of time, or not at all in most cases, when you apply for their jobs. For both of these reasons, persistence is key. But it's a fine line. Persistence can easily cross that fine line, into what can be perceived as stalking. And we know that will never help! Where this fine line is depends on the specific circumstances, the employer (or recruiter) you are dealing with, and (frankly) how charming you are. So, with that in mind, consider:

• What do you have to lose? Persistence may keep you under consideration (or even put you back in the running). Rarely will it spoil things when you're in the running. So, persist: what have you got to lose?
• Employers (or recruiters) may appear annoyed by your persistence. And, if you catch them on the phone at an inconvenient time, they may really feel, and sound annoyed. (and rightfully so)   But we all respect candidates who can in fact be respectfully persistent. Perhaps persistence can be construed as a great quality depending the the job.
• So, the question is how should you persist? My best guess would be to mix things up. It does get a bit annoying, or a bit old, to get the same follow up voice mail every week. So, use the phone one week, email the next, maybe send a hand written note "thought you'd find this interesting" and include an excerpt from an article the following week.
• To help minimize the risk of being annoying, be amusing. Make fun of the fact that you are being persistent.
•  Perhaps another approach to "take the edge off" is to ask permission. Each time you leave a voice mail, for example, end it with something like "as you have probably figured out, I'm very interested in this position. I hope it's OK if I check in once a week. If you prefer I wouldn't, just let me know."

 Remember not to cross the line as you don't want to get pushy, and you don't want to seem desperate. Avoid coming across either way, and you may well find persistence turning job opportunities into job offers!

On The Positive Side

I had the dreadful insomnia last night.  As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I got to thinking about the my current status of "actively seeking career opportunities, henceforth will be referred to as ASCO. I knew that if I thought hard enough that I could come up with a few positives to my ASCO status. 

Here is what I concluded:

In September 2009, I joined Weight Watchers. Six weeks later, I entered the status of ASCO.  This gave me the perfect opportunity to start an exercise routine.  I managed to lose 20 pounds.  Now that is positive!  I have had the opportunity to meet many people from different walks of life that I would not have otherwise had the pleasure of meeting. That makes positive number 2.  I am in the process of learning new software that I might not have had the time to learn. (MS Project, Visio, QuarkXpress, Publisher) to name a few.  That's number 3.  I have learned about more companies than I can even begin to count.  I started a blog.  I am using LinkedIn to network.  I don't have to commute.

So if I had to make a positive out of a situation I don't wish upon anyone, I have found more than one.

Now that is a great way to start of a weekend !.