Unemployment Paralysis: 7 Ways to Get Back on Your Feet
Getting fired sucks.
There’s no other way to put it.
It takes a toll on your career, your finances, your relationships. It makes a huge impact on your mental health.
Have you ever dreaded the moment when the alarm clock goes off?
Do you feel like you’ve lost control of your life?
If you do, then know that you are not alone.
Losing a job is overwhelming, sometimes even paralyzing. It can make you lose your sense of purpose and value.
So, how do you get back on your feet when you’re at your lowest?
1. FIND CLARITY: HOW TO OVERCOME OVERWHELM
What are your mornings like? Do you jump out of bed and get down to it? Or do you feel paralyzed and drowned in overwhelm?
Try creating a roadmap that gives you a clear path to follow every day. The secret is to break the steps into tiny tasks.
Instead of “find a job”, your task for the day is “update working history”. These small tasks feel less intimidating and more achievable.
2. REBUILD YOUR SELF-WORTH: HOW TO REMEMBER YOUR VALUE
“So, what do you do?” This question can be nerve-wracking when you’re unemployed. Have you felt like your value dropped after you lost your job?
Ask your friends and family what value you bring. Other people can see what you can’t, and you’ll discover who you are outside of work.
Affirmations are also great. Reading them out loud every day can shift your vision of yourself. Here’s one to get you started “I am enough”.
3. CREATE MOMENTUM: HOW TO TAKE ACTION
How do you go from feeling completely unmotivated to get things done? How do you wake up from this daydream and start living your life?
There’s a fine line between motivation and momentum. And the difference is taking action. When you start checking-off points from your roadmap, you’ll generate momentum.
Make a commitment to check-off one tiny task every day. Getting one done will get you started, feel accomplished, and inspire you to do more.
4. GET INVOLVED: HOW TO RECONNECT
Do you feel like job searching is a solitary road? Are you feeling disconnected? Or like you have to go through it on your own?
Reach out to people. You never know who might be willing to listen to you, give you a referral, or find other ways to help.
What about working as a volunteer? It can increase your sense of purpose. Volunteering can also help you make new contacts and develop new skills.
5. RELEASE STRESS: HOW TO FIND BALANCE
Do you take time to destress and care for yourself? Or do you feel like this is not the moment to give yourself a break?
Leisure time is as important as the time that you invest in your job search. Create space to make life enjoyable, even when it’s hard.
Go out for a run, walk your dog, or read an amazing book. What matters is spending 15 minutes a day doing something that you like.
6. BECOME AWARE: HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR INNER DIALOGUE
Which story is playing in your head? Do you picture yourself as a victor? Or do you see every single reason why you will fail?
You can start transforming your thoughts by becoming aware of them. Write down any negative thoughts you have and find positive ones that replace them.
For example, if you catch yourself thinking “I can’t find another job”, stop. Take a breath and remind yourself “I’m capable of finding an amazing job”.
7. EXPLORE NEW DIRECTIONS: HOW TO RECONSTRUCT YOUR PARADIGM
Was your position unique to your company? Are there too many people going for the same position? Or did your job title become outdated?
We limit our vision of what we can do to our past jobs. Look at the bigger picture and stay open to all the possibilities.
Another strategy is to look at your skills. Identify what your transferrable skills are and which skills you can learn to accelerate your job search.
TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE
Imagine waking up feeling free, energized, and ready to get things done.
Imagine all the love that you receive from the people you reconnected with.
Imagine jumping around the living room when you finally get that job offer.
Start with small steps.
They will sum up and make a world of difference.
I believe in you and in your ability to get back on your feet and thrive.
You’ve got this.
