One of the things I lost along with my job was structure. Now, I'm someone who thrives on structure. I like knowing what to do, when it needs to be done, what's coming next, and so on--it's how I function comfortably. My position at SecureConnect was completely freeform, so I was left to build my own structure, which was intimidating at first, but it actually turned out to be a real blessing:
I had three major tasks: billing and database auditing, telecom remediation, and deactivation and shipping processing. These tasks were variable and didn't really coincide with each other--one had to do with Accounting, another with Implementation, and of course, all under Resource Management. I built my schedule--my structure--by designating my days into segments of hours based on responsibilities. For instance, I know that QSRs have lunch rushes from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, so I would call to schedule call-tags outside of those hours--and fill that allotted time with telecom remediation, because telecom company help and billing lines are open during all business hours. I digress from the main point of I built my own rigid schedule that I lived by and thrived in.
Now what?
I brought my question to my DBT group tonight, because my rigid structure building skills here are, well, lacking. I hesitate to just incorporate an eight-hour day of strict job searching, because the work is so taxing and I tend to be too restricting. (Besides, the members of the group shot that idea down right away; yes, I actually tried to pose that!) Their suggestion was actually to build structure by building self-care pieces into my day first and then scheduling job searching around those things. It seems very counter intuitive to me, and it'd be a real challenge. I will have to think about it more. I need more feedback.
What do you think? How would you build structure into your unemployed days?
I am still in school so that's a bit easier for me to determine what needs to be done and when. However, you have to determine what you want to do in your days (could be daily/weekly/whathaveyou) and schedule accordingly. I have a very structural mindset as well, and it always help me to at least make a list of what I need to do during the day so everything gets accomplished on time.
ReplyDeleteThe question you have to ask is: What do I want my everyday to look like? What are some things you like and want to do on a daily basis?
Obviously you write (whether it be blogging, journaling, creative writing, etc.) so devote time to that in your day. It might help to get a daily planner, if you don't have one already, and block of parts of the day dedicated to specific things.
ie. 10-11 a.m. is blogging time, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. is lunch, 12-1 p.m. is job searching (this can include applying to, researching, follow-up, all that jazz) 1-2 p.m. Clean the house, whatever you want.
It's good to have at least a general outline schedule that is flexible with what you want to accomplish during your day. I don't follow one specifically, but for my schoolwork, I have a notepad file with all the assignments I have during one week and when the due dates are, etc.
Find out what your priorities are and make time for them, while still being productive in your day.
Hope that helps a little bit!
After re-reading, I have to add some things:
ReplyDeleteObviously be realistic about it. You will go completely nuts if you work 8 hours a day on job searching. I would, too. So have an allotted amount of time you are willing to reasonably spend on job searching. You can do it all in one chunk, or break it up throughout the day.
I say the building the self-care stuff first should be your priority, because if you aren't feeling up to it, you will most likely get really frustrated with your job searching and it won't bring you any satisfaction because you're not 100% or at least 95% into it. Remember, you have to be confident in yourself before you can sell yourself to a company!
Start out simple: Schedule your general wake-up/bed times, then your meals, then the self-care. Build everything else from that.
I would say that you should build in time for the following:
ReplyDelete1) Self-reflection. Try to figure out exactly what you want for yourself and where you want to be a year from now.
2) Exercise. Although you have/had slowly built up to where you once were, just go and enjoy the outdoors! Go for a walk! Do yoga!
3) Fun. You need to incorporate fun into your life. Do things that you have always wanted to do.
4) Apply for jobs. Obviously you will need a job because that is just who you are. You need something to do!
5) Read! Read fiction, nonfiction, whatever your heart desires!