I’ve kind of stopped paying attention to the news lately – been getting a little depressing.
However, I couldn’t help but overhear that last week, something like 70,000 125,000 people were laid off. This whole financial crisis thing used to just be New York’s problem, but now it seems that ANYONE is a potential victim. With several friends and former classmates currently “inbetween jobs”, I thought I might try to help with a list:
1.) Really (really) recognize that you HATED your job anyways
You were not happy there. Your boss was an asshole. You wanted to punch a koala.
You were stressed out all the time. You never had time to date. You never had time to exercise. You despised flight AA4749 from JFK to Washington DC every f***ing Monday. You were not passionate about what you were doing. Actually half the time, you weren’t really doing anything. An overpaid, under appreciated memo-writer. That’s what you were. And now you’re free.
2.) Don’t stress out trying to find new work overnight
If you’ve ever been to Pamplona in July, you know that panic and stress can be contagious. Similarly, massive layoffs and CNBC encourage panic. Don’t fall into this trap. It is pointless. Keep your composure. Becoming desperate will ruin your quality of life, and your chances of getting hired. Most companies are not hiring now anyways (they’re firing). So, don’t get all pissed off if your buddy across the street can’t find a place for you tomorrow. Unemployment is a marathon, so pace yourself. You’ve got a severance package, ride it.
3.) Exercise
There is absolutely no excuse not to be in tip-top-ab-ripping-bench-press-250-lbs-and-run-10-miles shape now. You have the time. You have the flexibility, so work it into your week. You’ll look better and feel better. Exercise brings mental clarity. Enjoy it.
4.) Keep a schedule and stay busy
When you were still working at your dead-end job your days were scheduled for you. Be in the office by 9:00, meeting at 10:00, meeting wrap-up at 11:00, conference call at 12:30, pitch review at 4:00… And of course there were endless emails to respond to all day long to fill in the gaps. Now that is all gone, and you have to schedule your own day. Do not fall into the habit of sleeping in till 11:00, watching television for an hour, sending your resume to a recruiter, checking your email (nothing), updating your facebook status (bored), checking your email again (nothing still), watching some more TV… According to Seth Godin, the opposite of happiness is boredom. Avoid it by planning your days in advance. Join a sports league, travel, go to the museum, network with friends, go on dates. You have free time. Don’t waste it.
5.) Find your passion
Since you know you hated your last job so much, why the hell are you applying for another one just like it? The only way to find your passion is to get off of your couch and try something new. Take a cooking class, volunteer for a youth group, run for city office, try improv, become a photographer, promote for a night club, start a blog about the price of oil, or even work for a really cool startup that sells custom clothing online.
Tagged: Advice, Career, Happiness, Layoffs, Life, Passion, Unemployed