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Planning
for Labor
by
Shannon Terry |
I
seem to have two types of people in my life right now – job
seekers and pregnant women. I was quite surprised to realize, as I
listen to the trials and tribulations of both, how each group has
interesting parallels to the other. Both are in the process of creating
something, going through stages of development, encountering unexpected
challenges, and sometimes, struggling to make sense of the whole thing!
Just as women who want to be mothers can take pre-natal vitamins,
job seekers can also practice some “preventive medicine”
to keep their emotional health up to par during a trying time of unemployment.
They can, and should, take care to be conscious about nurturing this
“baby” they are in the process of gestating... a new job
and future work opportunity.
Pre-Natal Vitamins for Job Seekers
Women of child bearing years are urged to take pre-natal vitamin
supplements about three months before they hope to conceive. If
all of the current unemployed workers out there knew three months
ahead of time they would want or need a new job, they could similarly
prepare themselves by updating their resumes, getting the word out
to their networks, and going on informational interviews. They would
also have the big advantage of planning financially and emotionally
for the change. If you are thinking of changing jobs, please prepare
yourself first in these ways.
Sometimes people find themselves in the middle of life “unplanned,”
and the shock and lack of forewarning can be challenging. If this
is the case for you, I recommend simply taking the time to work
through whatever feelings you have associated with losing your job
for any reason. It is normal and natural to experience emotions
such as anger, fear, anxiety, bitterness, depression, resentment,
frustration, and so on. Let yourself feel what you feel first.
Once you face the reality of not only the situation but your feelings
about it, only then should you move on to the next step –
reframing your attitudes and moving forward in your job quest in
a positive and hopeful manner.
Morning Sickness!
Feelings of moroseness can overcome even the most upbeat and determined
of job seekers, when faced each morning with filling their days
“constructively.” In order to keep yourself from falling
into this trap of melancholy, shame, or “laziness,”
set your self a routine that you are comfortable with. It may mean
structuring your day by each hour as with a work day planner, or
simply setting weekly goals of projects to complete as your time,
energy, and interests dictate (after all, you are the boss now,
enjoy!)
Self Care for You and Your “Baby”
As a job seeker, finding that great job that fits and feels right
is your special project, “your baby.” Job seekers would
do well to maintain an exercise program as well as eating healthy,
just like a pregnant woman. These habits will keep your bodies and,
therefore, your minds and spirits at their optimum levels of wellness.
This sense of well being on all levels is key to a successful job
search.
“What?” you may say. “Aren’t a great resume
and sophisticated interviewing skills the key to finding employment?”
Well sure, those things are important, too. However, as I work with
job seekers and reflect back on my own periods of unemployment,
I realize more and more how our attitudes and healthy sense of ourselves
and our abilities are the KEY factors to manifesting the job we
want.
Employers are looking for confident and qualified candidates capable
of hitting the ground running and contributing to their organizations.
I virtually guarantee you that if you are feeling lack of confidence,
bitterness over leaving your last position, frustration with the
whole merry-go-round process of seeking employment, these emotions
will be sensed or observed, and marked as a red flag by an interviewer.
As a confidence builder it can also be helpful to review old job
performance evaluations and reread appreciations from former bosses
for jobs you’ve done well. This excavation may also remind
you of past projects and accomplishments that may be valuable to
share during interviews.
A client of mine has decided to consciously choose to be aware of
processes and feelings she has in her job search because she believes
so strongly, as I do, that a trusting, positive attitude and visualizations
of her desired outcomes are at least equally as important as having
an outstanding resume and preparing for the tough interview questions.
In fact, she chooses to call her quest “manifesting right
livelihood,” and has noticed that when she starts to slip
into a negative space of frustration, she starts calling it “job
searching.” Consider the significant difference in meaning
by the words we choose to frame an experience in our lives. “Birthing”
a new opportunity gives a miraculous and joyous feeling as compared
to the heavy, duty bound feel of “job searching.”
Lamaze Classes
This falls into the category of tools and techniques for preparation
and relaxation, to help the process go as smoothly and pain free
as possible. Pace your daily “tasks” of manifesting
your “baby” – the cover letters to write, the
resumes you change to match a given job, etc. While you should take
time to prepare answers to specific interview questions, and other
necessary work, balance them with leisure activities. Take time
to breathe and meditate on a gulf-side sunset.
The Baby Shower
As a pregnant friend of mine recently said about her baby shower,
“My husband and I are preparing ourselves to graciously receive.”
Like her, gratefully accept the love and support of your family
and friends. Unloading your anxieties and moments of frustration
(they will happen; it’s okay, just reframe in a positive light
when you are ready!) with your support group will help you continue
creating your next job from a place of centeredness, confidence
and vision. Extend your support group to networks of former colleagues,
as well as other job seekers (or rather, fellow manifesters). Those
seeking right livelihood will especially empathize with your challenges
and be excited to share new creative techniques that have yielded
results for them.
One Shot of Whiskey
My pregnant friend told us that a book she read advocating many
natural and herbal pain management methods during labor also included,
“One shot of whiskey.” We all had a good laugh about
that, but it reminds us – birthing mothers, job seekers, and
life livers alike – that sometimes what we REALLY need is
just a good old fashioned remedy – a shot of fun, whatever
it is that loosens us up, eases the tension, and frees us of inhibitions.
When we feel comfortable, we feel confident. When we are confident,
our talents shine, and employers will surely notice.
Creating anything we long for can be a trying and challenging process.
Manifesting a job we love can be easier if we take the time to nurture
our emotions and attitudes about the process, and consciously choose
to undertake this journey with trust, and gentle care. Mothers have
long known the wisdom of this method. My sincerest wish for you
is a smooth and quick delivery!
Shannon Terry is a job search coach and workshop facilitator.
She offers personalized resume writing, interview coaching, and
workshops for jobseekers. (727) 321-4172.
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