Have you ever been just on the edge of something, and you’re tired of just standing there? Jan Karon wrote about that in a Mitford book where Father Tim feels tired of being on the edge waiting to go forward or waiting to step back. That’s what waiting on the hiring process can feel like. Not yet and no going back – all at the same time. You can have a thousand questions, but you have to wait for them to be answered one at a time. It’s exhilarating and exhausting.
I’m so excited to be going back to work, and I really think this job is a way for me to make a difference. However, I’m afraid to have high hopes because I’ve been bitten a few times lately with jobs, and I’m worried that something will go wrong or the job will be miserable. I told my brother by text today that I’m keeping my expectations low because things can only go up from there. I kind of dislike having that approach, but sadly, that’s what experience gives you – healthy skepticism and an expectation of failure. I actually do not recommend that approach because it’s a bit disheartening, but for me, it’s how I’m rolling right now with life’s ups and downs. On the other side of the coin, I also know that if this job doesn’t work out that I’ll just look for something else. Please don’t think that I’m trying to fail. I’m just reminding myself that only death is final. Otherwise, the world keeps on turning, and I keep on getting up to live another day. A job is just a job. It isn’t who I am. It’s just what I do.
I find that one of the benefits of getting older is that I don’t take many things as seriously as I used to. Failure is something to learn from, but it is no longer something that breaks me. There are far more painful things than failure so I try to keep it in perspective. I’m just glad to have a new experience to learn and help, and it happens to be a job with a paycheck so it’s even better.
It’s important to keep emotions under control during a job search. Having previous job-hunting experience makes that easier, but it can be difficult to keep anxiety and worry under control when you need a job. I hear you loud and clear if that’s where you are. Focus on your strengths to remind yourself that you are worth hiring. How you view yourself and the job search will have a big impact on how things go. I know we can’t always control what others think, but try to surround yourself with positive people. Being around negative people when you are struggling only adds to your stress.
Also, try to do things that help others – parents, siblings, aunts/uncles, neighbors, friends, and so on. I find that shifting the focus away from myself during a job search helps me with perspective, and it helps other people and gives you something to talk about during an interview. It sounds much better to say that you’ve been helping others during your job search than to just say that you’ve been looking for a job.
Further, take a walk or a drive. Work on a hobby that relaxes you. Cook or clean. Watch some cartoons. (Yes, I actually suggested that because old cartoons help me relax.) Don’t focus completely on the job search because that can create more distress. Make sure to give yourself a break from the search. It can take a while, and the first thing that comes along might not be what you really want. That’s okay. Don’t give up because it will happen even if it looks different than you planned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inspirational verses for the day:
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:17 (ESV)
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
All Things Subject to Change 