How to Stay Up When…

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Even for the most optimistic, maintaining a positive attitude isn’t always easy. 

I’ve read several great books lately—The Difference by Jean Chatzky, As a Man Thinketh by James Allen and The Noticer by Andy Andrews, to name a few. Though they’re written by distinctly different people, and in Allen’s case in another century, a common belief runs through them: We are all responsible for our attitude.

But even for the most optimistic people, maintaining a positive attitude can be difficult at times. With that in mind, and in SUCCESS for Women’s tradition of offering solutions and strategies, the next few blogs will examine a few ways to stay positive—even when your circumstances are anything but.

So, let’s start with the biggie, the one everyone’s talking about: job loss. It’s almost impossible to watch or read the news these days without hearing something about the high unemployment rate. Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke said recently that while the economy may be beginning to stabilize, he expects to see “further sizeable job losses.” On the flipside, we hear that there are jobs out there. But common sense says there are more qualified people vying for those positions. The situation may seem bleak, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. And certainly, attitude can play a huge role in helping you find a way to get the income flowing in again.

Why It’s Important to Stay Positive If You’ve Lost Your Job
Whether or not you fully subscribe to the Law of Attraction, there’s no denying that people want to be around positive people. In The Noticer, that philosophy is described this way:

“When a person is negative, complaining and disagreeable, other people stay away. And that person receives less opportunities and encouragement—because no one wants to be around him.”

Opportunities very often come from other people. So it stands to reason that the more others enjoy being around us, the more opportunities and encouragement we receive. Beyond that, it feels good to live with a spirit of optimism. When you allow yourself to entertain a “poor me” attitude, your negative circumstance becomes your focus, and you stop looking for opportunities that can improve your life.

How to Stay Up If You’ve Lost Your Job
Remember, you have power over your attitude. You can’t control what’s going on in the economy “out there” but you can control what’s between your ears. When self-pity starts to sneak in, do something to refocus your thoughts on being positive and proactive. You could:

• Give thanks. Keep a gratitude journal and write down things you’re grateful for right now. Then go back and read what you’ve written. You may be surprised at how much you have to be thankful for.
• Help someone. Whether it’s helping a community clean up after a storm, reading with children in a neighborhood school, volunteering at a local soup kitchen or domestic violence shelter or visiting a nursing home, showing kindness costs nothing but time. It will also give you perspective on your own situation.
• Learn something new. Going back to school is never convenient for working adults, but education—both from books and practical experience—is a major key to success. If you have some time off, why not:
  • Apply for scholarships and grants and take a few classes online or at a local college.
  • Pick up a set of foreign-language tapes at your local library or bookstore. (Learning a second language may make you more employable.)
  • Become an apprentice in a new industry or trade. Even if a company isn’t hiring, they may be willing to let you learn the ropes. Check out Test-Drive Your Dream Job for ideas on short-term gigs with big learning payoffs.
  • Practice a skill you haven’t time for but enjoy: writing, playing a musical instrument, golf, cooking etc.
  • Read! Personal-development books, business books, biographies of successful people can help open your mind to new possibilities.
• Network. Stay in touch with family, friends and business acquaintances. Let them know you’re looking for a new opportunity. Tell them specifically what you’re looking for and what skills you have or are developing. It’s likely you know others in the same situation. Be on the lookout for referrals you can share with them.

Being proactive and staying busy will help ward off negative feelings. And by staying involved and positively impacting others’ lives, you’ll have a better chance at connecting with the right person with the right contacts… sooner.

Additional Reading

• Who Says You Can’t?
• It Pays to Shop Around
• Joy on the Job