The Unemployed Appreciating Their Many Talents

“Appreciation is like an insurance policy.
It has to be renewed every now and then.”
Dave McIntyre

When acknowledged it is hard to enjoy the compliments and we usually brush them off with a quick thank you. On the other hand, if criticized in anyway the thoughts run through are heads constantly. Why do we always focus on the criticism instead of the compliment?

That is a good question! The reason being we feel uncomfortable, embarrassed and sometimes think now I have to be that shinning star all the time. That would be hard work.

Patrice was one of 50 people laid-off from the bank she was working for. In her mind she was the only one who lost her job. She felt like a failure and was ashamed to talk to anyone about what was happening. Her sister insisted that she contact me.

Our first couple of sessions, I was her sounding board and listened to the story over and over again. She was not open to making any changes. Until one day I asked her to name the special talents she had while working?

Patrice’s voice changed and she started rattling off more than 20 talents within a matter of seconds. When she took a deep breath, I asked if she still had these talents. Her immediate reply was, “YES.”

This started a new path for Patrice. Her exercise for the next week was to write down her special traits everyday. Then she had to say them out loud while looking in the mirror.

Within a matter of weeks her attitude changed, she started revising her resume and looking for jobs on-line. Using this technique was renewing her insurance policy for believing in herself.

Patrice was giving herself a beautiful gift. With this new attitude, one day while food shopping Patrice ran into a neighbor. After catching-up for awhile she found out about a new company that was looking for IT Managers. She researched the company, contacted them, had an interview and within a few months Patrice was working again.

Please renew your Belief In Yourself Insurance Policy by sharing with us your special talents. Working together as a community we will support ourselves and each other while trudging down the Unemployment Journey.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Remember you have a choice either to dwell on your unhappiness or your special talents.

Helen