Looking on the Brighter Side While Unemployed

“Look on the Bright Side

For every negative that consumes your happiness,
Affirm two positives that sustain you.

For every ‘should’ve’ you wish you’d done,
Acknowledge something you’re glad you did.

For every loss that altered your world,
Count from it something you have gained.

For every limit that has ever best you,
Consider your possibilities.”
Erick T. Moore

Do you ever stop, think past your situation of being unemployed and acknowledge the brighter side of your life?

I know what you are thinking, “There is no bright side in my life only hardship.”

Let’s take time and explore what is really going on in your life by completing the exercise in Erick Moore’s quote.

Sample Exercise:
Negative that consumers my happiness:
After working 20 years for the local school system as an office manager I was laid-off.
Two positives that sustain me:
1.Being fugal with money and saving for a rainy day I am financially comfortable.
2.My family and friends are very supportive. They are always reaching out to me to make sure I am not alone.

Should have done:
When the rumors started surfacing I should’ve started looking for another job instead of burying my head in the sand.
Something I am glad I had done:
Acted like a lady and was very gracious when my boss with tears in her eyes told me my position was being eliminated due to budget constraints. Now she is my biggest allied in helping me find another job.

Loss that altered my world:
Before I had some place to go everyday and interact with other people. Now all I do is stay home and look for a job.
Something I have gained:
An opportunity to find a new job that is exciting and self-fulfilling.

Limiting beliefs:
I will never find another job.
Your possibilities:
The world is my oyster and I have an opportunity to apply for all types of positions.

Remember as Erick Moore says:
“You can’t always change the way things are,
But you can change the way you wish to see them.
Never stop looking
For the brighter side and beyond.”

Now It is Your Turn!
Take out a piece of paper and write your answers to the questions in the above exercise. What have you discovered? Just for Today, keep reading over and over again the enjoyable experiences happening in your life?

Please share your thoughts with the Love Yourself – It Matters community. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Helen

Being Unemployed is Only a Small Segment of Time in Our Lives

“…knowing that, in the grand scheme of things,
we live in a world where rainy days
eventually give way to sunnier skies.”
R.L. Keith

What struck me reading R.L. Keith’s quote this period of time being unemployed is only a small segment of our lives. I know it seems things will never change. Believe me things will get better.

I would like to tell you a story about Caroline.

Caroline Hopkins (name changed) worked for a small Medical Device Company located in Chicago, Ill. She was the Executive Assistant to Jack Lyons (name changed), President of the company. Caroline worked for the company seventeen years.

There were rumors flying around the company that Jack Lyons was retiring and selling the company. Every time Caroline approached Mr. Lyons about the rumors, she was told not to worry he planned on working another twenty years.

Having total faith in Mr. Lyons she told everyone the rumors were not true and went on her merry way. Even when other firms were asking if she would be interested in another job her answer was, “I will never leave Jack Lyons.”

One Monday morning Mr. Lyons called Caroline into his office, sheepishly told her the company was being sold and he was retiring. Not believing what she heard Caroline stumbled out of his office and went home. She was in total shock.

The months passed quickly and before Caroline could get her bearings she was out of a job. What was she going to do?

At first she could not function and spent most of her days in the house. One day reading the newspaper she saw that an Unemployed Support Group was forming at her local library.

Caroline went to the library and signed-up for the first meeting that night. To her amazement there were 40 other people attending the meeting. It was the first time in months she did not feel alone.

Caroline listened intently and was surprised to feel her positive energy returning. What she heard and repeated to herself constantly, “This is a small segment of my life and things are changing constantly.” This statement helped Caroline regain her belief she would find a job.

With this new faith in finding a job, Caroline joined the Circle of Inspiration for the Unemployed and started taking small action steps daily to find a new job and within six months she was working again. She changed fields and today manages a Nursery School.

Caroline keeps saying, “What helped me the most was finding support, learning from other people and realizing this time was only a small segment of my life.”

Now It Is Your Time
• List the small action steps you can take to find support. Working with even one other person helps you to keep motivated and not feel alone while on this journey.
• List messages you can constantly repeat to reassure yourself you are okay. Reassuring ourselves gives us the courage and strength to keep moving ahead. Examples:
o This is only a small segment of my life and things are changing constantly.
o I am taking the right steps for finding that perfect job.
o I am safe, loved and very successful.

Please share your stories with the Circle of Inspiration Community. Together supporting each other you will find strength, different action steps you can take and the knowledge this is only a small segment of your life.

Helen

Unemployed Action Plan

Ten Steps to Help You
Enjoy Your Day

1. Look at your day as 24 hours, consisting of different experiences. Some experiences you enjoy and others move you forward in a different direction.

2. Do your best. We are only human and mostly everything we do is with good intentions. When you find yourself acting in a way that is destructive to yourself or others start changing your behavior. You are only hurting yourself.

3. Acknowledge others. Celebrating accomplishments of others, gives you hope which changes your thinking and actions. You are more empowered to look for possibilities.

4. Trust what is happening. A disappointment now opens the door to other successes down the road. Learn what you can do different next time.

5. Be compassionate to yourself and others. This is a trying time and taking the time to acknowledge yourself and others gives everyone a sense of security.

6. Don’t worry about something after it is done. Learn from the experience and take steps in a different direction next time.

7. Acknowledge your negative thoughts. Remember these are only words going through you mind and not real. You have control over your thoughts and can stop them at a moments notice by thanking them and thinking about something which makes you happy.

8. Accept everyone as they are. Most people don’t have a hidden agenda and want to hurt anyone. They are only acting in a way they think will help you. Sometimes we have to let the person know in a loving and kind way they have hurt us.

9. Have the attitude that no one owes you anything. We are the only one who can fulfill our basic needs. Sometimes give yourself a big hug.

10. Love yourself and put that smile on your face. You are a beautiful person.

Enjoy your day!!

Now It is Your Turn!

Pick one of the ideas listed above and practice it all day. Be aware of the different feelings you have and what opportunities are happening.

Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community what steps you take to ensure you have a beautiful day.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Helen