The very first question from the crowd at the end of my presentation was “How can we keep motivated during the job search when HR people don’t respond or there are not any job openings available?”
Tough question, that. I did an OK job of answering it, but it has been bugging me since then. Without question, this is one of the biggest issues for job seekers, and maybe the most important. Yet people like me dance around it, spout off platitudes, and later wonder why so many job seekers appear frustrated, angry, depressed and un-motivated.
One person confronted me years ago, after I had given a particularly good Rah-rah speech, and asked me three questions: What if you don’t have a dream? What if you think the world is against you? What if you are powerless to make changes?
So, with that little back story and the recent question in Des Moines, let me take another stab at “How can you get motivated during your job search?” I will try my best not to make it seem all namby-pamby for you if you will grant me a bit of leeway.
First, let’s agree that being able to motivate oneself is a crucial skill. No matter where you might be, at home or at work, motivation helps you get results. I think we would be better off if there were a college class (or junior high) on the topic because nothing is a more consistent indicator of a happy and productive life than having this ability. Once you figure it out, and know how to motivate yourself, everything falls into place. It is more than second nature, it is like the third law of motion.
Unfortunately, it is also not a switch at the back of your head that you can flip on. And reading this brief post will un-do years of mental conditioning brought on by bad habits and toxic efforts. I wish it were that easy, but it is not.
Still, there is time. There is time to work on it. To try. To change.
I am betting, though, that if you have read this far, you don’t need this. You are reading for someone else. Probably someone you care about, even love. It is like sitting in the church pews and thinking the pastor’s message is for everyone else but me. The people who need to learn how to motivate themselves the most don’t bother seeking help or information. Maybe you can pass this around so “they” get it.
Truthfully, I am a self-motivated guy. Background, genetics, luck, training, experience--who knows why. It is a bit of all that. I do know that when I was born the birth announcement did not say a “Self motivated baby boy arrived today at 10:52pm.” Something must have happened. What was it?
- Wins and successes are more fun than losses and failures. Yep. But for my Platitudes friend, it is more than that.
A win can be something awfully darned small, you do not have to win a Nobel Prize, just make your report typo-proof, go one extra day without an accident, serve one more customer with speed and friendliness. But realize these are all “wins,” and you did it, yourself. It was you, only you, and only you can know about it. The more you win, or succeed, well it is like a drug that keeps on giving. This is also why companies like to hire people who have been on high level sports teams or who sat First Chair Trumpet. Remember your wins.
- Force yourself to be motivated.
If you are the head of your family unit, you MUST get motivated. You do not have a choice. You cannot sit around and play Pity Me all day long. You are in charge and your kids and all family members look to you. Man up or woman up.
- Let go of the past.
Times are bad. And worse for you, I get that. That does not mean tomorrow must be the same. Realize that the past is past, and your ability to try yet again is upon you.
- Don’t compare yourself to others.
Let them run their own race. You do the best you can with the skills you got. Celebrate other people their own successes and know that yours will happen soon. You are just that close.
- Create a false reason to be motivated.
Said another way, “fake it till you make it.” This absolutely works and has since Zig Ziglar first told Teddy Roosevelt this favorite saying.
- Read everything you can on self motivation. Almost anything you read will be helpful.
Some are full of platitudes, sure, but there are many relevant and helpful insights that you can take away and apply in your own life. BUT you must be receptive to it and give it a try.
- Hang around motivated people. This works.
If you are part of the negative crowd at work or school, guess what? You will learn these behaviors. It is like my dad told me about marriage, “Marry up,” he said. You do the same, hang with people who have their act together.
- Make daily small improvements.
I know this is hard because you pretty much know everything. But give it a try. Learn a new software product, learn to blog, write more, draw, dribble with your left hand….it does not matter. The fact that you learned a new skill will HELP you motivate yourself. I am not sure why this works, but Mr Maslow did, I am quite sure.
- Be hungry.
Have you ever craved something? There is nothing quite as powerful as the feeling you get when you want something so badly you will do almost anything. Can you re create that feeling every day, about even the smallest thing, like researching one more company.
- Laugh and realize that these tough times will soon be a part of your story telling history.
Actually, I use this one a lot. “At least I have another story to tell,” I tell myself. Trust me I have plenty. Or, you can watch the two videos here. Spend five minutes, it will be worth watching, I promise. http://blogs.jobdig.com/wwds/2010/06/16/need-some-motivational-help/
Not exactly a motivational how-to textbook, just some tips that might work. Try one, and see.
© Copyright, 2010, GL Hoffman. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About This Author:
G. L. Hoffman is a serial entrepreneur and venture investor/operator/incubator/mentor. Two of his companies have traveled the entire success path from the garage to IPO. Currently, he is chairman of JobDig, which operates LinkUp, one of the fastest-growing job-search engines.. His blog can be found at WhatWouldDadSay.com. His latest book is StartUp, 100 Tips to Get Your Business Going, available in print at www.startup100tips.com or ebook at www.wiseandwiser.com.
