With so much uncertainty around and people losing jobs, it’s hard finding a new one. Here are some ways to effectively stay motivated and reaffirm what you already know

Losing a job is one of the most stressful experiences. Whether you’ve been laid off, downsized or forced to take an early retirement, not only does it affect your pocket and other finances but it may also take a toll on your mental and emotional health.

We don’t do a job merely to make a living. For many, it is so much more. It’s not only a medium to complete our career goals but it also shapes our perspective towards people, changes how we see and interpret the world and influences our decisions to a great extent. It helps us explore ourselves, our interests and potential. Suddenly, finding oneself out of work can be hurtful or depressing. One might even start questioning one’s own identity and potential, even losing self-belief and confidence at times.

Given such testing times like today with a pandemic at hand, when the market is starved of funds and adequate resources, it has become even harder for millennials to plan their way ahead. And due to so much uncertainty, while many are facing pay cuts, many have already lost their jobs.

Talking about my personal experience, I really miss the feeling of seeing my account getting credited at a particular time each month. I understand the pain and distress people are feeling upon losing jobs at the moment. The prospect of not knowing when your next paycheck will come is a daunting one.

Well, it’s never the best feeling if you lose a job. However, that doesn’t mean you give up. In fact, it means that now is the time to work harder than ever and look for that silver lining. Here are some ways to effectively stay motivated when you’re unable to find a new job.

Don’t Give Up

It’s time to dust yourself off, get your act together and get back in the game. Give yourself some recovery time to get over the shock, but then, get serious. Give yourself some love and reaffirm what you already know. Think about it: is this your opportunity to change your career (and life)?

Focus on your future

Experts suggest that creating a plan for your future is a good way to start. Think of the things you can do and how you’re going to get your next job. Focussing on the future will help you get a new job much faster than concentrating on the past and any mistakes you may have made.

Ask for support from you friends and family

Unemployment doesn’t just affects you, it affects your entire family as well. Instead of keeping the problem to yourself, ask for support from your friends and family members. Your support group will help you get through this awful part of your career and propel you forward.

Stay healthy

Mental and physical health are interlinked. It is highly recommended not to host a pity party for yourself, daytime TV and junk food. Being physically fit as well as mentally strong will help you remain focussed on the challenge at hand. Now is a good time to indulge in some online workouts or healthy cooking experiments. Doing something other than job-hunting will serve you well.

 Stay positive

I know it is not easy but it is possible. Getting into a negative cycle will probably be the most counter-intuitive thing to do at the moment. Instead of allowing yourself to feel negatively about your job loss, you can list everything you did well at your recent job and use it to keep yourself positive while looking for a new job or opportunity.

Look for opportunities

Every challenge brings its own set of opportunities. You might not be able to see them at the moment but keep looking irrespective. Some of the world’s biggest businesses started during some sort of crisis, The Great Depression, Subprime and others.

Explore a hobby

While you are at home, finding work, dig in what you really like and develop the hobby as you have the time to do it, which you never had or had limitations for. This will help you explore a new reason to keep yourself occupied and happy. Hobbies related to art also help you be at peace and have a stable mind.

Take a short trip

Well, during a lockdown it is suggested to take a trip only if safe, otherwise it’s good to space out between two jobs, as it gives an individual a clarity of thought and helps to be more productive at the same time. The job you will be applying for might come your way when you are not waiting for it but approaching it.

Read more

While I know, it sounds cliche, reading e-books, blogs and books definitely help your mind to declutter and create space for you to perform. Read motivational stories and books like The Secret, F@ckKnows, and other such.

Take an aptitude test

When on a break, or no job mode, it’s better to go back and explore the reason why you ended up where you are. Aptitude tests are available online and are super effective, as it helps you to believe in yourself again and guide you to what are the different avenues you can do/ be at rather sulking over the same.

Unlearn and learn

Unlearn the negative aspects of yourself and learn a new course on writing, digital management, website making, profile building. There are over 1000s of different digital courses available on Google. Get certified while you are looking for a new job. As you have something to look forward to your day which is time bound!

(The author is Devashree Sharma Tiwari, co-founder, The Glutton and The Owl.)