10 MOTIVATING TIPS IN A DISTRACTED WORLD FOR JOB SEEKERS

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Jeff Monachelli , One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

JUNE 27, 2013

As a Life Coach who engages in career/work coaching, I am always trying to find unique ways to help motivate my clients. A good coach doesn’t dictate what to do; instead, I firmly guide the customer using their strengths. We live in a distracted world: tech devices constantly chiming and ringing in our ears, social media trying to catch our attention; TV using subliminal advertising techniques, etc…It is a challenge to stay focused and to keep your “eye on the prize”, so to speak.

The longer you search for a job, the more arduous the process becomes. This can lead to feelings of dejection and getting stuck in a blue funk. If you let yourself adopt a negative outlook, this can bleed into your interactions with hiring managers, and ultimately in interviews. This can severely hurt your chances of being recruited by a solid company.

So, how do you keep on keeping on when you feel down, defeated and dejected? Here are some practical, accessible tips on how to increase your mental, emotional and physical motivation:

1. Seek out other underemployed or unemployed people(career groups, online community boards)
You will gain a sympathetic audience that may be going through the same process. You can also get a “fresh” perspective on your resume, cover letters, job summary descriptions, etc…

2. Pay it Forward
Anything that shows you have a giving nature will boost your appeal. Volunteer, work pro-bono if you have a specialized skill, offer to work part-time at a reduced wage (for the experience). All of these techniques can bestow you with an edge from the rest of the crowd.

3. Manage your time & your thoughts
Administer how you use your time, and find activities that are holding you back. More important than managing your time, is the skillful ability to captain your racing thoughts. Rejection in any form causes depressed feelings; learning not to take job rejection personally is key to your happiness. Practicing daily positive thoughts (remember an event where you felt “on top of the world”) can help make governing your scattered thoughts easier with time.

4. Eat healthy and stay hydrated
Eating healthy can be challenging if you are ‘on the go’. However, consuming energizing, natural foods and drinking sufficient amounts of water is pivotal to having the impetus to seek out the job you want. Monitor diuretics, such as tea and coffee; be aware of your caffeine consumption. For some people, this will affect their ability to sleep at night.

5. Exercise regularly
Exercise produces endorphins which give you a natural boost. It reduces stress, helps to settle your mind and will give you stamina for that intense job you are dreaming about. This is one way in which you can obtain a natural “high”.

6. Ensure your work/life status is balanced and effective
Using your time and energy efficiently is important to having a healthy lifestyle. Even if you are job searching night and day, take time for regular breaks; schedule “fun” time too. Engage in a hobby or sport, and clear your mind of job stress and worries while enjoying some recreation time.

7. Surround yourself with cheerful folks
You will have days when you aren’t feeling particularly chipper, so it makes sense to surround yourself with people who are positive and supportive. Nurture yourself and find others who will do that for you as well. Seeing the glass as “half-full” is a good habit to adopt. No situation stays down forever; eventually things must go up.

8. Keep a balanced perspective
Having a fair and stabilized perspective on life and your specific situation will keep you motivated. Learn not to take things personally, as often in the job world…rejection isn’t personal at all. It is a numbers game in regards to jobs & you just have to keep on chugging’ along.

9. Learn to handle rejection(also see ‘manage your time’)
There is a general rule of 20 in business. For every 20 contacts, you will net roughly 15 “no responses and 5 or so “maybes”; this will result in will lead to one tangible success (sale, job interview or offer, etc…). If we use this formula: you’ll need 20 interviews to gain 5 callbacks. This may play out as one job offer or hiring scenario.

10. Always schedule “fun” time
We are all busy. These days it seems as if we want to impress others with our constant actions. For good mental and psychological health, you must schedule in some fun time with your family, friends, pets, etc…Go to the park for a jog or walk, meditate, go to a movie on the spur of the moment. Soon, you will become creative in balancing out the worries of work, career and all of the heavy stuff! Now, breathe…