A Holiday Spark

You know the saying… “Some people live to work, others work to live.” I don’t know if it implies one way is right or wrong, but I do know one thing; working a 9-5 filled my cup. Not always overflowing in ways I dreamed of, but enough to keep me engaged.

Showing up gave me built-in purpose.

The meetings, deadlines, and projects forced me to stay engaged.

And at the end of the day, I could point to something and say, "I did that." Despite the ups and downs, it was rewarding.

So, when I lost my jobs due to layoffs, the hardest part was immediately losing a range of activities that gave me a sense fulfillment.

The deadlines that pushed my delivery.

The projects that gave a sense of progress.

The coworkers that gave connection.

But here's the other side of that coin, surfing job boards and applying for roles doesn’t rejuvenate like those other activities.

Most people try anyway. At least I did.

They sit at the computer and spiral in the black hole of LinkedIn.

Countless applications with minimal sense of accomplishment because the feedback loop is delayed. We don’t see traction in the moment, so we keep plugging away with more applications.

Taking a Breath

For most, it's a built-in day off. A summer holiday that often includes a gathering with friends and family over food, drinks, and celebrations. When you're employed, it is an obvious day to disconnect from the work to-dos and go outside.

But when you’re unemployed, the temptation is to keep working like any other day. You feel obligated to complete a few applications or check the job boards. I get it, it feels responsible.

Yet, a job search doesn’t reward overtime the same way your old job did. There’s no gold star for burning through a holiday to hit “submit” five more times.

There’s just you, getting tired.

Don’t get me wrong, momentum matters a lot in the job search. I believe timely responses can be critical to getting that next interview. I believe a well-crafted application can get you noticed.

I also believe it’s critical to stay in the game for the long haul. Emotionally engaged. Focused effort. Energized.

To do that, you have to let yourself refill your cup… sometimes with stuff that has nothing to do with resumes or LinkedIn.

Focusing on You

If you feel recharged from the long weekend, good. Ride that energy this week.

• Apply to a few more roles.
• Practice your interview pitch.
• Reach out to people you haven’t talked to in a while.
• Put the energy into your search efforts.

If you feel drained, do something this week to recharge.

• Take a neighborhood stroll before you start your day.
• Call a friend to catch up on the latest.
• Eat lunch in the park.
• Set aside 30 minutes each day for a favorite hobby.

Practically speaking, set a timer for 15 minutes and journal about how full your cup is today. Reflect on what gives you energy and determine how you can incorporate a sustainable amount of that this week. Then, schedule it into your calendar and stick to it.

There’s no trophy for running on empty.

Appreciate a holiday weekend without regrets because it keeps you going. Feeling fulfilled is a win. Take it.