As I have mentioned getting re-acquainted with old friends or meeting new ones is a good thing about being in job search mode. As part of that I am doing a lot of face to face meetings where I need a neutral site that is convenient to both parties . The joy of Starbucks is they are everywhere, they are comfortable and no one hates going there.
At the rate I am going I will have been in most of the Starbucks or Panera's in Dallas very soon. I am just glad they are open to letting people meet there and hang out. I don't drink coffee so most of the attraction is lost on me. I do drink tea and fortunately the tea is cheaper than the coffee. Once in a while you come out one reaking of coffee which is not good if you have another meeting afterwards but it is the price one pays for an almost free place to meet.
So Starbucks and places like it is my joy of the day.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
No Job Joy #15 Finishing projects
Before I get in to today's joy I didn't forget # 13 because I am superstitious. I basically lost track before I posted yesterday.
The joy I have today is getting things done. Yes this applies whether or not you are working but my projects are specifically around the house that I didn't have time for when I was working. Since being laid off I have built a fence, added a sprinkler head ( thanks Matt), floored the attic, cleaned the garage, taken better care of the lawn, and many other small things. Currently Robert and I are working on prepping a vegetable plot for Susan.
In this time of uncertainty, the ability to have control over something and complete a task is very therapeutic. The feeling of accomplishment is much more satisfying than when you have a job and are squeezing projects in when they fit and you are having other successes.
Enjoy the little victories of completing little tasks or large projects. If you own a house you will always have a list of things to fix or do. When you get a job you won't have the time you have now to complete the big projects that are challenging and satisfying.
The joy I have today is getting things done. Yes this applies whether or not you are working but my projects are specifically around the house that I didn't have time for when I was working. Since being laid off I have built a fence, added a sprinkler head ( thanks Matt), floored the attic, cleaned the garage, taken better care of the lawn, and many other small things. Currently Robert and I are working on prepping a vegetable plot for Susan.
In this time of uncertainty, the ability to have control over something and complete a task is very therapeutic. The feeling of accomplishment is much more satisfying than when you have a job and are squeezing projects in when they fit and you are having other successes.
Enjoy the little victories of completing little tasks or large projects. If you own a house you will always have a list of things to fix or do. When you get a job you won't have the time you have now to complete the big projects that are challenging and satisfying.
Monday, June 8, 2009
No Job Joy #14 Individuality
For anyone who thought I might have been a bit down on my last post, for the record, my brother's all have good lives but I wouldn't trade with any of them. With that said the joy for today is individuality.
Being unique is important. First I wouldn't want to be any one else and being unique is what makes life interesting. If we were alike my wife would hate air travel even more because there would be no reason to people watch.
The more relevant benefit of individuality is that when we decide which jobs we want and what we want from them there is something out there for everyone. We each bring our own unique views, talents and motivations to our lives and work. The tough part is convincing someone that OUR specific set of views, talents and motivations are the best ones for their job. Staying positive and focused will help you get there eventually.
I am glad I am different from you and my brothters. Especially because I am better looking than all of them. Just ask my wife. ;-)
Being unique is important. First I wouldn't want to be any one else and being unique is what makes life interesting. If we were alike my wife would hate air travel even more because there would be no reason to people watch.
The more relevant benefit of individuality is that when we decide which jobs we want and what we want from them there is something out there for everyone. We each bring our own unique views, talents and motivations to our lives and work. The tough part is convincing someone that OUR specific set of views, talents and motivations are the best ones for their job. Staying positive and focused will help you get there eventually.
I am glad I am different from you and my brothters. Especially because I am better looking than all of them. Just ask my wife. ;-)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
No Job Joy #12 My Dad
You know how they say that you don't appreciate your parents until you are older. This is one of those times. When I got laid off I was on a business trip but my parents were visiting us. When I got home my parents were there for a few days. Kind of uncomfortable because everyone wants to look successful and like we don't need our parents any more.
So we hung out for a few more days until it was time for them to go home. As they left my Dad some thing that stuck with me but I didn't realize why at the time. He said " I know you will do what you have to do if things get tough."
Now is when I go all psycho analytical. Initially I was hurt and saw this as him not having faith in me to get another good job and that I would have to settle for something less than what I had or want moving forward.
Looking at it now what he was really saying is that he knew that the years of physical labor on the farm combined with the education he and my Mom had encouraged me to get would prepare us for what ever came to be. If we had to live more frugally we could. If I had to take something just to get income he knew I would.
What he was really saying is that his job with me was done and that he felt he had done what he could do to prepare me to survive in good times and bad and that at some level he was acknowledging that I would be okay with out his help. This is important to me as I was the child voted least likely to succeed by my family. They aren't cruel about it but was just kind of one of those known things. Although I was a hard worker, I have to admit I gave them plenty of reasons to think that. I had the lowest grades. I was okay at a lot of things but didn't excel at anything.
Sorry this post is getting a bit long but the challenge of being with out a job right now has provided me with the perspective to appreciate what my father taught me and to realize that he knows he taught me what he needed to. So today I am joyful for my Dad.
So we hung out for a few more days until it was time for them to go home. As they left my Dad some thing that stuck with me but I didn't realize why at the time. He said " I know you will do what you have to do if things get tough."
Now is when I go all psycho analytical. Initially I was hurt and saw this as him not having faith in me to get another good job and that I would have to settle for something less than what I had or want moving forward.
Looking at it now what he was really saying is that he knew that the years of physical labor on the farm combined with the education he and my Mom had encouraged me to get would prepare us for what ever came to be. If we had to live more frugally we could. If I had to take something just to get income he knew I would.
What he was really saying is that his job with me was done and that he felt he had done what he could do to prepare me to survive in good times and bad and that at some level he was acknowledging that I would be okay with out his help. This is important to me as I was the child voted least likely to succeed by my family. They aren't cruel about it but was just kind of one of those known things. Although I was a hard worker, I have to admit I gave them plenty of reasons to think that. I had the lowest grades. I was okay at a lot of things but didn't excel at anything.
Sorry this post is getting a bit long but the challenge of being with out a job right now has provided me with the perspective to appreciate what my father taught me and to realize that he knows he taught me what he needed to. So today I am joyful for my Dad.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
No Job Joy #11 Old Friends
One of the first things people think about when they get laid off is "I wish I had stayed in touch with people in my network better. " I know I did. The past is the past so we have to move on.
My joy today is that old friends are still friends even if you haven't kept up. Friendship is a two way street so don't feel too bad about not keeping up. Your friends need to keep up with you as well because they could be in your shoes someday. Another reason not to feel guilty is that everyone is busy with work, family, kids, hobbies and just life. Most everyone can relate if you haven't had time to keep up. In a lot of cases they may be glad that you reached out. Many will feel guilt either for not keeping up or that you are now in your current situation.
As people looking for a job we need to take advantage of this time to re-connect with people. This effort can provide benefits in many ways. First you get to find out what your friends are up to. Second you may be able to connect to your next job. Finally, you may be able to help your friends which there is no better feeling than that.
The good thing is most people are willing to re-connect. My only recommendation is that you don't reconnect just to find a job. If they are your friend they will want to help but don't call up and expect them to give you your next job. In other words you have to be authentic in your desire to re-new your friendships.
As I said a few days ago the toughest part in most cases is picking up the phone. Just do it and you might be surprised.
My joy today is that old friends are still friends even if you haven't kept up. Friendship is a two way street so don't feel too bad about not keeping up. Your friends need to keep up with you as well because they could be in your shoes someday. Another reason not to feel guilty is that everyone is busy with work, family, kids, hobbies and just life. Most everyone can relate if you haven't had time to keep up. In a lot of cases they may be glad that you reached out. Many will feel guilt either for not keeping up or that you are now in your current situation.
As people looking for a job we need to take advantage of this time to re-connect with people. This effort can provide benefits in many ways. First you get to find out what your friends are up to. Second you may be able to connect to your next job. Finally, you may be able to help your friends which there is no better feeling than that.
The good thing is most people are willing to re-connect. My only recommendation is that you don't reconnect just to find a job. If they are your friend they will want to help but don't call up and expect them to give you your next job. In other words you have to be authentic in your desire to re-new your friendships.
As I said a few days ago the toughest part in most cases is picking up the phone. Just do it and you might be surprised.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
No Job Joy # 10 Going 100%
I had a football coach who said I don't care if you screw up as long as you are at full speed. Looking back on that it really applies well to life as well as football.
Say the worst thing happens and you are going the "wrong" direction. If you are at 100% you will know it sooner and be able to learn from and correct your course. You could also arrive at an unplanned yet enjoyable place. In other words you might accidentally get to a better place than where you started. And of course if you are going the "right" direction you will get there faster.
In life as in football even if are going 100% and screw up you might get yelled at by the coach but at least you know you tried your best.
Say the worst thing happens and you are going the "wrong" direction. If you are at 100% you will know it sooner and be able to learn from and correct your course. You could also arrive at an unplanned yet enjoyable place. In other words you might accidentally get to a better place than where you started. And of course if you are going the "right" direction you will get there faster.
In life as in football even if are going 100% and screw up you might get yelled at by the coach but at least you know you tried your best.
Monday, June 1, 2009
No Job Joy #9 Picking up the phone
One of the toughest thing for a lot of job seekers is picking up the phone, even people who supposedly like to talk and sell.
At a recent meeting of a networking group for sales people that I attend, the moderator asked, who is the person at your target companies that can help you the most? Most answered the VP of Sales. Next he asked how many had picked up the phone and called the VP of Sales at your target companies. Only three hands out of almost 40 went up.
Yes, rejection is hard on the ego but is it as bad as sitting at home wondering why you don't have a job? The thing I am learning and enjoying is hearing new people's stories, the opportunities that are out there and how willing they are to talk to total strangers. Today's joy is the new and exciting things that can happen when you pick up the phone.
At a recent meeting of a networking group for sales people that I attend, the moderator asked, who is the person at your target companies that can help you the most? Most answered the VP of Sales. Next he asked how many had picked up the phone and called the VP of Sales at your target companies. Only three hands out of almost 40 went up.
Yes, rejection is hard on the ego but is it as bad as sitting at home wondering why you don't have a job? The thing I am learning and enjoying is hearing new people's stories, the opportunities that are out there and how willing they are to talk to total strangers. Today's joy is the new and exciting things that can happen when you pick up the phone.
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