How to Add Positivity to Your Search
When you’re in the middle of a job search, whether you’re looking for a new role by choice or circumstance, staying focused and positive can seem insurmountable. Unresponsive hiring managers, lack of clarity on how to move forward, and endless interview cycles can make you feel as if there’s nothing that you can control to change your situation. Adding current event instability and the start of a New Year into the mix only adds to confusion of what to do next. It’s important to remember to take a few minutes when those feeling surface to re-frame and be mindful of what you can, indeed, control.
Discover Healthier Ways to Scroll
My last article shared some helpful ways to keep your productivity in check but the moments in-between our work can set the tone for our overall sense of daily motivation and desire to buckle down and do the work: whether that’s applying for a job or having the courage to start your daily networking reach-outs. I recently took a closer look at how I scroll, examining my online footprint to see where I was truly spending my time outside of recruiting and coaching. I realized that much of it was spent consuming content that left me feeling disconnected, isolated, and out of control. That realization pushed me to make a conscious choice—to show up differently for myself and those around me. Here are four of my favorite sites that I’ve thoughtfully bookmarked across all devices to help lift me into a more positive, healthy outlook:
Big Think. Scrolling through content on Big Think transports me out of the everyday and into immersive, big picture concepts and ideas. Experts across a wide variety of subjects provide rich dialogue surrounding concepts that can help us learn new ways of thinking and understanding of the world around us.
Biography. Biography’s 25,000+ roster of athletes, musicians, scientists, inventors and actors and deep, detailed accounts of their lives and achievements is certainly digital time well spent. Taking a few minutes to learn about the amazing innovations brought to life by the genius of Sarah Boone and the philanthropic, enterprising acumen of Madam C. J. Walker brings me perspective and inspiration.
Good News Network. How can the idea of a 97 year old dropping a new album not make you smile? When I’m sick of my frown lines making permanent waves in my forehead, I turn to Good News Network for some heartwarming, engaging positive current events. GNN also has a pretty decent mobile app too to keep “scrolling and smiling” even while sitting in the carpool lane.
Lifehacker. I’ve saved my best buffering site for last: Lifehacker. This site is my treasure trove of technology and productivity tips and typically the first site I read as I start my day. The editors at Lifehacker provide well-written, and well-sourced insights on current-day technology and advancements so I feel “in the know” without being *too “*in the know.” Plus, I get to stay somewhat connected to current events while I learn something about technology along the way.
Remember You’re Not Alone
Encouraging yourself to step away, close the laptop, and take a walk is a way to re-center and remember that there are other people out there. Discovering a sense of purpose, whether it’s working independently or with others, can help you reclaim your sense of belonging. Here are some ways you can step away from your laptop and reconvene with others or discover a whole new topic of interest:
Visit your library. I absolutely love local libraries—they are my personal equivalent to a Free Nordstrom where many of my problems can be solved. In addition to a quick perusal of books outside my normal niche, setting up shop and spending an afternoon working alongside others is a great way to reframe and energize your daily WFH perspective. (Just be cautious about logging into public WIFI connections!)
Volunteer. Giving back is a great way to gain perspective and surround yourself with others. Check out Volunteer Match to find opportunities relevant to your location, interest, or availability. Countless organizations are in need of people like you who are willing to help—even if you only have a couple of hours a month.
Join Digital Communities. Find comfort in the support of others through industry-specific Slack channels or tailor-made interest sites such as Medium. Here are two sites to help you find the right Slack community for you:
https://standuply.com/The_List_of_1000_Slack_Communities_by_Standuply.pdf
Discovering online content that fosters growth and learning, remembering to be the light for others, and tapping into your sense of community can be ways to bring some lightness to your day. The levity that you give to yourself can then be shared with others. We can all use a small bit of optimism and hopefully, that seed can grow. I’m always here to talk, connect, and remind you that you are not alone.