Greetings to all of us who have had a little too much down time recently and, ummm, not enough ways to "prosper financially". Yikes... that didn't sound as positive and uplifting as I wanted it to... this blog is dedicated to everyone who knows what it's like to fight the constant battle of job searching and the countless hours of being unemployed!
Ever since being back from the States I have had the opportunity to find out what it is like to be a college graduate, and jobless. Thankfully, this is the first time I have felt like this in two years. Would you believe me if I said that I'm just doing this for the "life experience"? No? I don't think my parents will believe me either.
Anyway, just thought I'd shoot out a "how to survive in Australia (or any place, really) with limited resources and all the time (okay, 3 weeks) in the world" guide. It's a five step process so bare with me... okay, deep breath, ready - go!
1) Asses your assets. Figure out how to budget your money, and don't let yourself go over that budget. I know it might be tempting... and I admit, after eating peanut butter and jelly's for 4 days in a row I did succumb to take-out once or twice. But be mindful! If you go over your budget one day, figure out how to make it up the next. Be smart, and be cautious with your money. It doesn't last forever, and calling your parents up asking for a loan is wayyy worse than suffering through that cheap bowl of cereal for the second week in a row.
2) Make the most of little things. Try and find activities that don't cost much (or anything at all) and get excited about them! Whether it's daily walks, afternoon tennis with friends, or blogging. Having hobbies will make your time go by faster, and give you more of a self worth. They'll also allow your mind a break from constant "job worrying" and let you relax for a little. It'll give you something to look forward to each day and allow some recreational structure to your lifestyle.
3) Start thinking "what do I really want?" Slowly start focusing on the things that really matter to you. It's easy to get distracted with a whirlwind of work... and it's even easier to 'put off today what can be done tomorrow'. Now you don't have anything but time! What things make you happy? Go back to the basics and then start a plan to jump start those ideas. I'm going to be super cheesy and quote Up In The Air, "Anyone who ever built an empire, or changed the world, sat where you are right now. And it's because they sat there that they were able to do it."
4) Get back in touch with friends and family. This is a great time to start sending all those emails and letters you've been wanting to for months. Getting in touch (and staying in touch) with other people is crucial. If you start hibernating and secluding yourself you know you're headed in the wrong direction. The best way to get jobs is networking. So while you're catching up over coffee, see if anyone has any job ideas or positions they know of. You'll be surprised to see how many people are willing to help you out.
5) Keep yourself moving. As I said above... have hobbies, talk to people, start planning, be smart. These are all aspects of the most critical part of being unemployed - never remain stagnant. The more of a sloth you become, the harder it is to get back to your fast-placed, energetic, go-getter self. Be active in all parts of your life, mentally and physically. Don't lose the drive and determination otherwise you will be less likely to accomplish your goals. Rarely do people just "fall into" positions. They work for them, in one way or another. Whatever you put out in the Universe, you get back. Remember that.
I've recently been trying to incorporate all of these 5 points in my daily routine. I've been exercising, resumed blogging, gotten those emails and letters sent, redid my resume, started a list of potential jobs in Perth (yeah, we're moving again...), and finally sat back to think what am I doing here and what do I really want? Just an FYI, those questions are definitely the hardest thing to overcome about being without a job. Starting from scratch and building up... more difficult than it sounds.
Well, even though Patty and I save our coins to pay for our daily (which has turned into weekly) coffee, and my new diet is actually working since I can't spend money on tons of junk food, and we've resorted to hours of Scrabble instead of going out... we know it'll turn around eventually!
The thing about making it big and doing it fast, is that invariably the first steps will be small and slow. Which oddly, for many, is the same reason they don't take them.
So let's cheers our hypothetical glasses (because let's be honest, we can't afford to fill them at the moment) and toast to the small steps that will lead us to the bigger things we want!
This is a different sort of free I had in mind, wasn't it?
xoxo
em
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