Positivity will get you a job
Life is hardly ever a fairy-tale and at the moment for a lot of people its actually a nightmare. Many people have lost their jobs and are finding it hard to keep their head above water. Learning ways to stay positive during the hardest times comes with experience , but if you don’t have the experience then you need to learn quickly. Once you realise you are strong and you can get through terrible times you’ll find comfort in knowing that whilst life is tough, you’re tougher and nothings going to get you down. Here are some tips:
Smile more
Even if you are in really a bad mood, smiling will automatically make you feel better. This is a scientific fact. It can improve your mood, relieve stress, boost your immune system and help lower your blood pressure. So watch something funny on TV , or play with a child , or talk to your grandparents or parents . One of these suggestions is sure to make you smile.
Remember – this won’t last forever
If you’ve found yourself jobless, skint and depressed remind yourself “this won’t last forever”. Perspective is the key. No matter how bad your situation is, its not permanent. Reminding yourself that you just need to hang in there a little longer can help you get through.
Think of the positives in your life
Think of all the things in your life you are grateful for, no matter how big or small they may be. Shift the perspective to what you do have in your life and not what your don’t have or what you have just lost.
Hit the gym
Exercise doesn’t seem like it will change much but it really can improve your wellbeing. Just going for a walk can boost your vitamin D levels , make you happier and give you energy.
Talk to a friend
Talking to a friend might be all you need. Some of us tend to keep feelings, especially negative ones, bottled up. Find someone who’s a good listener. Getting things off your chest will make you feel better and a true friend will help you feel positive about yourself.
Remember “It’s not all bad”
No matter how bad things are, there is always a bright side of life. There are also people who are worse off than you are. Actively look for the positives. Remember you are skilled, you have experience and you will get the job.
Laugh, Laugh and Laugh Again
Finding a reason to laugh, even if they have to force it a little, could make all the difference in the world. Laughter is another stress-reliver that improves mood and promotes positivity. Put on the TV and find a comedy show or read a funny book but find something to laugh at.
Embrace the Negativity
Life isn’t always good, life isn’t always perfect. Its how you deal with the negative times which shows your strength. Yes, things are bad at the moment, but they will only remain bad if you let them. Embrace the negativity and allow it to make you stronger and therefore more positive.
Be careful who you mix with
This is really important, especially when it comes to negative people. We are all tempted to listen to people’s problems and try to help them and we are convinced that negativity doesn’t attract us, but it does. Mix with positive people. Positivity is contagious.
Never Panic
Always focus on the solution, not the problem. You haven’t got a job, well go and look for one. I don’t mean look casually, I mean make looking for a job a full-time job, try every avenue you can think of. In the meantime, think of ways you can bring money into the house. i.e. selling unwanted stuff on eBay, downsizing your car or cutting back on your social life. Stressing yourself out and feeling upset will only or make things worse.
Make your problems challenges
There is an interesting approach to positivity. Don’t view your problems as problems at all. Look at them as obstacles to tackle. Make looking for a job a mission, see it as a challenge and as I said before make it a full time job looking for a job.
Don’t be a control freak
Know what you can control and recognise what is outside your control. What you can’t control is the fact you have lost you job. What you can control is your attitude to that. You can decide what your attitude is and it should be positive.
Enjoy life- it won’t last forever
It might sound morbid, but remember life is short. It is therefore really important that you enjoy it as much as you can. Even in really bad situations there are always things you can enjoy, by finding them it will help you keep a positive attitude.
Take control of your own situation
Don’t wait on other people to make you happy, you need to be able to do this on your own. Others can help you by cheering you up but at the end of the day its down to you. Sad? Yes, but true.
Things that can only get better
While some people argue that hitting rock bottom isn’t a necessary prerequisite to feeling better. It still implies one important thing, you can only move on from here and that could be into a better job.
Keeping a positive mindset isn’t just some new age philosophy. Believe it or not it is backed up by science. Research has repeatedly shown that our brains are programmed to respond to negative thoughts in a certain way. Negative thoughts narrow our view of the world around us, whilst positive emotions help us to see the endless possibilities in life. So, you know that staying positive is a must, particularly when looking for a job. You have to believe you are going to get offered any job you go for, you won’t, but you must believe you will otherwise why go? Positivity impresses others so get out there and show everyone what you’ve got.
Angela Burton