Stay Motivated!

Five Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated During a Job Search

Staying motivated during a job search is always challenging…especially in today’s competitive market. I should know. I’ve survived four job transitions. After my last layoff, I decided to form my company-High Gain Companies, Inc-to help job transitioners. That was six years ago….Since then I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to stay motivated when you’re in transition. Here are a few tips I’ve learned from successful clients:

1. Set daily goals and structure each and every day. It’s essential that you measure your results so you can see that you’re making progress.

2. Find an accountability partner….someone who will help you stay focused. Choose someone you trust and someone who can be brutally honest with you. DO NOT choose your spouse, significant other or family member….they love you too much.

3. Volunteer your time. Helping others gets you “out of yourself” and gives you more energy and purpose. It feels great to help others.

4. Celebrate your accomplishments. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone or a Snickers bar….something special. Food always does the trick for me.

5. Keep your sense of humor. Read a funny book like “Bossy Pants” by Tina Fey and watch a funny movie. Keep your laugh muscles toned.

Four Things to Keep Your Career Alive

1. Keep your network fresh and dynamic. Continuously expanding your network is essential in today’s business environment. If you don’t’ your career is doomed.
2. Maintain your professional personal brand. You are marketing yourself everyday. If you don’t have a personal brand, start building one. If you don’t, your career is double doomed.
3. Continue your involvement in professional associations and industry groups. Industry contacts are a great way to spot trends and opportunities. If you don’t, your career is on its last breathe.
4. Keep up with your social networking. Keep your name in front of people. You never know when you’ll be in job search mode. If you don’t, you can order a coffin for your career!

7 Essentials You Need to Know About Your Career Transition

1. You can’t to go through it alone – join a local career transition group. It may take a couple of tries to discover a group that fits your needs, but it’s worth it. These groups help you with ideas and strategies. You’ll having an easier time figuring out what you want by talking to others.

2. Your successful transition rides on your plan – treat your transition like a project and put a detailed plan together. Set weekly goals and actions to move you toward reaching your goals.

3. You can visit pity city, but you can’t live there – everyone has problems. They don’t want to hear about yours. Feeling sorry for yourself and spreading your pity around doesn’t win followers. Practice keeping your head in a good positive place.

4. You need an accountability partner – find someone who’ll hold you accountable for reaching your goals. (Hint-spouses, significant others, family don’t make good accountability partners….they’ll let you slide)

5. You are the product – from today on, you are the product. What are your features? Most importantly, what are your benefits? What makes your marketable and what is your unique contribution?

6. You’re in charge – you own your career. The days of companies being responsible for your career growth are gone. YOU are totally responsible for your successes. Become a life-long networker and keep your network alive.

7. You must have a strong online presence. There are three places you want to be online: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. These services are free and let you develop a powerful personal brand. Also, I recommend using gmail for your email needs. Gmail offers many additional free services.