Success E-Letter Vol. 6/4 December ‘06
Nourishing Your Career Search During Down-Time
Nina Ham, CPCC, LCSW
Those of you considering, or in the midst of, a career search have probably thrown up your hands and decided that pursuing your search during holidays or the summer lull is hopeless. On a practical level this is largely true. (See article below on holiday networking etiquette.) But having made the decision to put it on the shelf, how can you best use down time so that when normal pace resumes, you’re ready to roll with renewed energy and clarity? Here are some suggestions:
- Treat yourself specially well.
It’s not always easy to recognize the emotional strain of a career search. In the mental health literature it’s recognized as equivalent, as stress generators, to divorce, death in the family, or relocation. So treat the down time as a brief R & R. Avoid, if you can, adding any additional stresses. Have fun, pamper yourself, and if it appeals to you, schedule a 1-2 day personal retreat to rest and recharge.
- Turn up the volume on your intuition.
Have you ever noticed when your attention is focused elsewhere you sometimes see things out of the corner of your eye you wouldn’t ordinarily see? If you’re facing some decisions or needing to clarify your direction, there may be some “soft data”, some input during this period from the right brain, to help. Pay attention to what you’re drawn to – laughter? friendships? quiet? music? nature? – and trust that even without tangible results your inner wisdom may be getting nourished.
You might try this: if there’s a question that’s on your mind – “Should I take this job offer?” “What’s the best use of my talents?” – say it to yourself three times just as you’re falling off to sleep, and see if you dream an answer. Use your imagination and intuition to help decipher the dream language, or talk the dream over with a friend.
- Use inspiration to fill your tank.
Holidays are often full of inspiring stories of people turning their lives around, or of acts of amazing generosity. When you hear or read one, pay attention to the human quality demonstrated by the story that makes you catch your breath. How will you bring that quality forward in yourself?
Inspiration also comes in books. My two all-time favorites for people in career search are Po Bronson’s “What Should I Do with My Life?”, full of intimate stories of people from all walks who have struggled to answer that question; and David Whyte’s, “Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity”, a brilliant essay on the place of work in our human wholeness.
Another idea: Register for a seat in Success and Me: A Game of Self Discovery. What’ is it? It’s a 3-hour facilitated group event that combines thoughtful self discovery about the meaning of success to you with a supportive and playful interactive process. Career search clients who have played the Game come away with renewed energy and commitment to find work that draws on the best of themselves, and new clarity about what that “best” is. The Game is offered via telephone on various dates over the coming months. See www.successandmegame.com for more information and a calendar.
So here’s some advice for your next period of involuntary down-time: Rest, enjoy, try out some of these suggestions, and come back refreshed to resume your career quest. In these days of accelerated living, you may be surprised at the benefits waiting for you from having to take some time off.
Nina Ham, CPCC, LCSW | Success from the Inside Out
Email Coach Nina Ham |
Telephone 510-526-7377
all contents Nina Ham © 2002
