Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Peaceful Plan for the Unemployed

Hey, today is a new day and the sun is shinning. Are you wondering, “So what, I don’t have a job and could care less about the sun shinning.”

Welcome to the world of the unemployed.

When we feel scared and have no idea of what is going to happen our thoughts take over and rule our unhappy lives. The good part is we are in control of taking care of ourselves.

You can give yourself a gift today and create a plan that will create peace in your life. No need to panic we can make the plan simple and easy to follow.

Following are questions that can help you create your special plan:
1. What made you happy yesterday?
2. Who can you call and have a good laugh with?
3. Where can you go to relax?
4. When is the most difficult time of your day?
5. How can you help a family member?

After answering the above questions you are ready to create your plan. Below is an example of a Peaceful Plan created from answering the above questions.

Peaceful Plan
Morning is my most difficult time of day so I will get dressed, go out for a cup of coffee and smile at another person in the coffee shop.

When feeling very stressed, call Sherri and have a good laugh.

Prepare dinner for my family before my husband gets home.

I love sitting on my back porch, having a cup of tea after dinner with my husband and just relaxing. It is very important that you both have an unwritten rule not to discuss anything stressful.

What steps does your Peaceful Plan include? Please let the Love Yourself – It Matters know about your plan and what benefits it is providing. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Remember when one door closes, it is hell waiting in the hallway so open a shade and look for the opportunities.

Helen

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Unemployed Professionals Instructions for Your Day

“One of the things I learned the hard way was
that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged.
Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life
can restore your faith in yourself.”

Lucille Ball

Waking up this morning it hits like a lead balloon, I no longer have a job. What am I going to do?

Not minimizing the situation you have a choice either to enjoy your day or go deeper into that black hole. You might ask yourself, “Come on Helen I have no choice.” My mind keeps thinking: I am not working…not making money…feel like a failure…really scared, etc., etc. These thoughts are natural and with a little practice you can change them.

Instructions for changing your thinking:
• Thought, “I will never find a new job.”
• Stop and say to yourself out loud, “Thanks for helping me!”
• Wait a second and say, “There is a chance I could find a new job.”
• Close your eyes and visualize yourself receiving a call with a job offer.

Changing the thought to a happy outcome gives you hope. When we feel hopeful things are not discouraging. The sun shines and we can see new possibilities.

With this new perspective you have a better chance of enjoying your day and discovering ways to find that perfect new job.

Put a smile on your face and say out loud, “Watch out world here I come.”

Enjoy your day!!!

Helen

Please let us know how you are doing. The Love Yourself – It Matters Community is here to support you in anyway we can.

There are Circles of Inspiration forming to support you in setting clear goals and taking quick action steps in finding well paying, inspiring work again. Check out the Love Yourself Website www.loveyourselfcoaching.com to find out about the Circles of Inspiration.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Actions for the Unemployed

“Sometimes things which at the moment may be
perceived as obstacles – and actually be obstacles,
difficulties, or drawbacks – can in the long run result
in some good end which would have occurred
if it had not been for the obstacle."

Steve Allen

Reading this quote you might think to yourself how losing my job can be a good thing? I cannot find another job, working hard to keep my spirits up, and the worst part having no place to go.

What is a person do?

Yes, you might feel sorry for yourself and it is your right as a human being to have these feelings. You had a traumatic experience and need time to recover. This is a difficult time for you and everyone meaning well gives you advice which they feel you should follow right away.

As they say time heals all and with taking steps to adjust to your new life you will create a new normal. Prior to losing your job your normal was to spend at least 8 hours a day at work. Now you spend those same 8 hours worrying about your new lifestyle.

I have been working with Mary, a client who just 10 months ago had a job and was worrying about not being able to lose weight. Two months later she learned that the division she was working for had plans to layoff 70 people. Not feeling threatened she went to work every day and as time went on learned she was one of the 70 being targeted.

Her first response, how could this happen to me, I am a great worker and received excellent reviews. They probably made a mistake, will call me back into the office to let me know how sorry they were for making a mistake and they want me to stay. This scenario never happened.

We continued working together and changed our focus. The first object was for Mary to adjust to her new normal. Create a plan that would make her feel safe again and research ways to start the job search.

During this period, Mary implemented the following steps:
• Every morning upon rising she would follow her normal routine of getting dressed and making sure the children were at the bus stop on time. This sense of routine gave Mary and her children a sense of comfort that nothing was wrong.
• Followed her exercise program. Exercising gave her strength to go on and a feeling she was taking care of herself.
• Researched different job opportunities. This action gave Mary the feeling she was doing something in finding a new job.
• Attended networking events for jobseekers. Meeting other people in the same situation gave Mary the feeling she was not alone. They supported each other with resume writing, interview role playing and keeping each other optimistic.
• Preparing dinner for the family every evening and spending time with her children and husband. Created a feeling for everyone that life was continuing and they did not have to worry about what was going to happen.

Taking these initial steps on a daily basis gave Mary the courage and strength to continue her job search. She continually stepped out of her comfort zone, learned new things about herself and within time Mary was offered two different jobs which would be considered a promotion from her previous job.

So as Steve Allen quote states, sometime obstacles can in the long run result in a opportunity which would never have occurred if you did not experience the lose.

If you are among the unemployed and need support please let us know by leaving a response in the comment box. Remember the Love Yourself – It Matters Community is to here to empower you during your journey.

Many unemployed people are reading this blog and by sharing tools you have found can help others. Together we can make this journey a little easier and within time everyone will be working.

If you know of anyone who is traveling the unemployed journey please tell them about the Love Yourself - It Matters Blog. Together let's help make their life a little easier.

Helen

Helen

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Tips for the Unemployed

“To be upset over what you don’t have is to waste what you do have.”
Ken Keyes, Jr.

As human beings, we are wired to automatically focus on what we don’t have, instead of thinking about all the gifts we are constantly receiving.

What is a person to do?

In my group coaching circles, I have been working with women who have joined the roles of the unemployed. At first they are relieved the horror of not knowing is over. Then comes the trauma of being displaced, feelings of failure and anxiety of never being able to find another job.

It is understandable they feel this way. Women, for most of their adult lives rise in the morning, get dressed and leave for work. Come 9:00am and they have no place to go.

It has been suggested to rise at your regular time, get dressed and start researching job options. Who are they kidding?

I have been working with my clients to create a plan they feel comfortable implementing. By having a goal and taking small steps, builds their comfort level and sense of fulfillment.

Each person has their own needs and agenda. What will work for one person will not necessarily work for someone else.

However, here are 7 basic steps that can work for all of us:

1. Eat a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner
2. Wear clothes that make you feel good
3. Practice good hygiene
4. Exercise daily, even if you just take a walk around the block
5. Only focus on two or three steps a day. Otherwise your steps will become overwhelming and in all probability you will not accomplish anything
6.Join a support group
7.Take a daily mini-vacation – take 10 minutes a day to do something just for you. Examples: Just sit in a chair and relax; take a walk; read a book.

Be aware of the new opportunities that are presenting themselves to you daily.

I once heard a great quote: “When one door closes, it is hell waiting in the hallway, so pull up the shade and look out the window.”

Good Luck!

Learn how you can get support while being unemployed. The previous article is a flyer for the Circle of Inspiration for the Unemployed. Come join us or pass the flyer on to anyone you know that is unemployed and looking for support.

The Love Yourself – It Matters Community is forming a support blog for the unemployed in their time of need. If you know of anyone who is on this journey please tell them about the Love Yourself – It Matters Blog.

Please join me in writing your tips on how to motive yourself, make life easier and able to smile at the end of the day. I am looking forward to reading your tips on the Love Yourself- It Matters Blog.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Circle of Inspiration

“How to find the perfect job so that you can feel self-assured, make money and be happy again”

Join the Circle of Inspiration; a group for professional women who are recently unemployed, who want to connect with smart individuals, and find the job of their dreams.

See you in the Circle, next session starts, July 6, 2009


Who is leading the Circle of Inspiration?
Helen Burton, CEC, ACC, founder of Love Yourself Coaching, has been leading circles and mastermind groups for seven years. As an expert group leader, Helen has helped many individuals gain the confidence needed to be a successful professional. For more information about Helen, visit her on the web at LoveYourselfCoaching.com.

What does the Circle of Inspiration do?
The Circle coaches unemployed, professional women to set clear goals and take quick action to finding well paying, inspiring work again.

Can you commit to 30 Minutes a week?
A weekly phone call is all it takes to meet up with the Circle. Each member will set their intention for the week, receive laser coaching and agree to steps to accomplish their next objective.

Here is an example of how the Circle works:
Claire’s goal for the week is to brush up on her interview skills. Claire agrees to the following action items:
• Prepare a brief, interesting summary about her work experience.
• Email a member of the Circle, a compelling list of distinguishing skills set that would be valuable to an employer.
• Role-play an interview with a few Circle Members.

Avoid simple mistakes!
Looking for employment, in this uncertain economy, is not an easy task on your own. After contributing to the household income for many years, women are concerned about how they will pay for their kid’s education or meet other expenses, now that they are temporarily unemployed.

Brainstorming and sharing ideas with smart, experienced professionals, creates a unique environment for women who are feeling anxious, frustrated or unmotivated about looking for their next job. Don’t look for a job alone, it’s much easier when you have help and encouragement.

Stay Fresh! The Circle is the perfect resource to stay current about researching your next job opportunity. Let the Circle help empower you.

Be accountable. It’s easier to succeed when you are surrounded by helpful, positive professionals who provide you with immediate feedback to help you to stand out among the crowd!

Who should join the Circle?
• Unemployed professionals
• 15 years or more of corporate experience
• Feeling anxious about being unemployed
• Want an easy and affordable way to connect with other women professionals
• You are a consistent wager earner

Circle Testimonial:
“I feel very fortunate to have Helen Burton coaching me through this difficult period of unemployment. Helen has a unique ability to help me move forward professionally. She helps me to draw on my past successes in order to set concrete and realistic goals for myself. Through her uplifting coaching methods, I have become a much more confident and proactive professional.
I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such gifted career coach.”

Lyn Cleary Barrington, RI

Share this flyer with your friends.
The Circle is affordable! $49 a month.

Join! Become a member of the Circle! Email Helen at: helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net