With the first post on this new blog, I think it's most important to start out with a fresh, positive attitude, which is a topic that I'll revisit often through the course of Job Search Schemes.
The importance of a positive attitude can not be overstated. Nobody wants to hire somebody who isn't positive about themselves, about their life situation, about their abilities, or about life in general. It's understandable that you may not feel over-the-moon about any of these things as you process a job search, but developing and maintaining control over your attitude, despite your feelings or even your situation, is extremely important.
So here are five ways that you can develop and maintain a positive attitude:
1. Smile. It's basic, foundational, and necessary. The old song goes 'when you smile, the whole world smiles at you'. People look more attractive when they smile, and 'attractive' means magnetic - it means that people want to be close to you, get to know you, they want you on your team. If there's one thing you WANT people to WANT, you WANT people to WANT you. Smile. Try it, you might like it.
2. Listen to music, and sing along! Music plays a pivotal role in emotions. It doesn't matter what kind of music; our brains enjoy the beats and patterns, mathematical equations that take us through tension and release, tension and release. Your life as you job search is full of tension - music helps you to release that tension. Singing along releases endorphins, those chemicals in your body that make you feel good. It doesn't matter if you sound good or not, just 'make a joyful noise'!
3. Find some way that you can help somebody else. Helping others is key to feeling good about yourself, and it also helps to expand your network. I'm a big proponent of spending as much time job-searching as you would working (30-40 hours a week), but I would also include helping others as a job search strategy. That means that you have time to contribute to somebody else's life in ways that you wouldn't otherwise. So volunteer, take a friend for coffee, help a student write a paper, help somebody else find their dream job, counsel, listen, look for ways to help others!
4. Absorb positive information. Listen to positive, motivational people. Read good books, even fictional ones! Listen to hope-filled music. A few years ago I had everything going for me, life was good, but my attitude was horrible and it actually bothered me. I asked someone for help and they told me to pay attention to what I'm absorbing. I found that the music I was listening to at the time was bringing me down. Music can have that effect. It can also bring you UP. So can books, movies, games, people, podcasts, whatever you absorb. So be intentional about your input! (A few recommended resources will be available at this blog soon)
5. The Three R's: Rest, Relax, and Recreate. Make time to have fun with family and friends. Don't neglect those things that give you life - hobbies and passions like writing or playing guitar or sports or parties. Laugh as much as you can. Breathe deeply. Practice your own presence. Find ways to enjoy yourself. Life isn't meant to be drudgery, but balance. Is your life is out of balance, find ways to fix it.
Maintaining a good, positive attitude takes intentionality and sometimes work. But it's benefits will pay off for you, your family and friends, and your future employer. It's well worth the energy it takes!
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