Daily Structure
Leveling the Rollercoaster
A few weeks ago, I was on a call with someone who was a few months into their layoff.
They’d made progress with a couple of promising roles, but one in particular felt like the one.
Then, without warning and without much explanation, the opportunity fell through.
They had put a lot of eggs in that basket. And now?
Disappointed by the outcome…
Frustrated by the time spent…
Anxious about the lack of pipeline…
Being Emotionally Invested
I won’t argue with that. It’s smart to diversify your pipeline. More seeds, more chances.
But that advice doesn’t prepare you for the emotional attachment that comes with finding a job that feels perfect.
You can’t help it… you see the job, and you’re already envisioning the job offer. You’re already thinking about the work ahead.
One time, I saw a role at Airbnb and it was an ideal fit.
As a former host in Chicago, I had a deep connection to the brand, but I also had a solid professional background to match the role. Spent a few hours on the cover cover letter... it was incredible.
You already know what happens next… Didn’t get the job and was super disappointed.
Here’s the problem:
We invest a lot of ourselves in something we can’t control. And when it doesn’t work out, the emotional crash is real.
This is the rollercoaster of the job search:
- The highs of a 'progress'
- The lows of 'setbacks'
The truth? The rollercoaster is part of the journey.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t level it out.
Redirecting the Influence
But how do you do that…
…when you care about the outcome?
…when you need the job?
…when you’ve already imagined your future there?
The answer is routine.
When you design a day around what you can control, you start to measure progress differently.
Not by the response on your application. Not by the promise of an offer. But instead by the actions you took today.
...a full to-do list in the morning.
...a checked-off list by evening.
That’s progress you can depend on.
Having a better daily routine gives confidence that the process will lead to outcomes. Having structure keeps you stable.
Practical Structure: The LAND Routine
Do these four things every day, and you will see and feel progress:
- Learn to stay sharp and relevant.
- Apply to plant seeds with intention.
- Network to build community and open doors.
- Defend your energy to show up again tomorrow.
It’s simple, but it’s not easy.
That’s why we make it a daily practice. The rollercoaster doesn’t disappear... your trusted routine simply puts a better structure beneath it.
##Keep it Simple I’ll be sharing more detailed thoughts on how to build and refine your routine here and on LinkedIn, but for this week, focus on two strategies:
1. Leverage accountability: Tell a friend, join a peer-group, or work alongside someone. It's like a workout-buddy, but for job searching. Routines stick when someone’s in it with you. 2. Time-block your LAND Routine: Put it on your calendar. Start small, if you have to. Even 30-minute windows make a difference. What gets scheduled gets done.
The rollercoaster of ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ is inevitable, don’t get me wrong. It’s part of being human.
But a productive routine gives you something better to hold onto.