How to Make the Most of Yourself After Being Fired

No doubt, these are the hardest days to get through. Fresh from being stung by your last job, somehow you need to regroup for the new challenges before you. All too often during these times of great stress, we tend to overlook our mental and physical selves. You will get through this period; but, in the meantime, here are a few ways to make the process easier.

Instructions

1. Set aside a finite period of time each day for your job search, and stick with your schedule. A job search can be an overwhelming experience, so by setting and maintaining boundaries between your job search and your leisure pursuits, you will feel more in control of your life. Your life will have more balance, and you will be at peace with yourself and with the process.

2. Write down your experiences and perceptions. About once each week, write down what you have accomplished during the previous week. Record the milestones of your progress and include your feelings about reaching them. If you wish, keep an online blog and encourage others in the same situation to share their stories. Then, from time to time, read the entries you wrote in the past because you should be surprised by the progress you have made.

3. Get plenty of exercise. Looking for a job can be very stressful, so exercise is vital for your well-being. Set aside time for vigorous exercise several time each week and make them a priority. You will find that exercise will reduce your stress and will sharpen your mind as you tackle this life-changing process. You will soon begin to feel stronger, both mentally and physically, and you’ll begin to realize that some of your best ideas come while you are exercising.

4. Think about hiring a career coach. Sometimes when we try to share our job search experiences with those close to us, we find their responses unhelpful, at best, and discouraging, at worst. Not only will a coach give you actionable advice, but he/she will offer you an objective viewpoint. There are career coaches in most cities, and they can be found by going to the Internet. The cost of a career coach will be money well spent if it results in your finding the “dream job” of a lifetime.

Tips & Warnings

• During difficult economic time, it probably will take you longer to find a suitable job. However, under no circumstances should you take a job just to get back to work. In most cases, people who do that find themselves having to start their job search from scratch.