10 Proactive Things to Do in Between Jobs

 Job instability: Yes, I have realized I just opened up Pandora’s Box- The Unfathomable, but at the same time, inevitable.  Real Talk: We are in a recession (whether we want to accept it or not). As a result, the inevitable has happened, companies are not being able to afford to keep as many employees on their payrolls and are thus handing out many “pink slips,” and the unemployment rate has skyrocketed to a shocking 9.6 percent in the past seven months.  

 If you are apart of the 9.6 percent, I need you to read this next part with your eyes and your heart: ALL IS NOT LOST! As the saying goes, when Life gives you lemons, take those lemons, and squirt it in life’s eye because that shouldn’t stop you from being productive and happy! (Alright, maybe that isn’t the ACTUAL saying). 

 All I am trying to say is this: You were given the pink slip. Upon first receipt, you feel lost, shocked, and immediately find yourself being swallowed into a deep, dark inferno of self-pity and panic. You find yourself going “Now, what am I supposed to do?” or even something along the lines of “Holy Crap! I am so #^$^^$ed!” but the truth is, you just got a fresh start, a chance to do all of the things you wanted to do, but never had the time for. Trust me, I have been there and I have seen it happen to close friends and family. It really, for lack of better word, SUCKS!

 Relative situation: In fall 2 years ago, I was an intern for an IT department for a significant media mogul, and was offered a position to work full-time there when I graduate.  With this in minds, I went through the rest of my time at college with less care than usual, and when it came time to follow-up with them, I found out that my entire department was laid off. I WAS LAID OFF BEFORE I EVEN OFFICIALLY JOINED!! As you can imagine, I was hyperventilating, panic attacking, and worried-sick about my future. I found myself in a real-life version of one of those nowwhat.com ads, and boy was I unhappy!  Then one day came along where I woke up and said to myself, that there is more to life than this media mogul, and I will get through this. I recognized my accomplishments, my talents, and my capabilities, and I carried on with life.  I decided to be proactive rather than wallow during my period of unemployment, and it paid off.

 Word of advice for all of you out there in the same situation, or recently laid off from your job: Wallowing will get you nowhere.  We all need to realize that the job market these days is not as sturdy as before, and things won’t just fall in to your lap. You must be persistent, and never let your spirits get down because there is SO much you could be doing in the meantime! Think about it, make a list, write it down, and check off each activity you get done as it gets accomplished. If you need a jump-start on some ideas, don’t you worry, my dear friend, I have got you covered!

 Here is my official list of 10 things to do (in no particular order) in between jobs:

1. Take a Trip:
   1. OK, Yes, You’re now reading this, and scratching your head. Remember that relative who lives in that far-off land somewhere? Well, now is a perfect time to go visit! Flight tickets are at their ultimate low, and guess what? Most relatives would most likely by kind enough to let you indulge in the comforts of their home.
   2. OR You can take a mini-vacation to a Spa, or nearby town, and retreat there for a vacation.  It’ll most likely be cheaper than going overseas, and will give you the chance to unwind for a little bit, and then come back to the comforts of your own home whenever you please.
   3. Finally, you can take a road –trip and go visit a friend in a nearby state, town or City. It’ll be a good few hours spent that will keep your mind away from all the evil and dark thoughts lurking in the back of your head, which by the way, are NOT TRUE.
2. Get Active
   1. Create an exercise routine and stick to it.  This is MAJOR. During this extended vacation, many people tend to become nonchalant about their appearance, and have a tendency to vegetate.  I remember during the 2 months that I was unemployed; the mix of feeling low about not being employed yet, with the lack of activity in my life caused me to gain 30 pounds. Don’t let this be you. Get active.  Do yoga to de-stress and tone your body, go for a jog, play badminton with some friends, play some sports, go swimming, run up and down your steps for 15 minutes, jog in place as you watch your favorite TV show- ANYTHING. Just keep getting at least a half hour of exercise 3 times a week in your system, and you will be fine.  Even though employers are slow to respond, you will be getting an interview, and you will need to look good in order to be considered (our society is vain, embrace the truth). You can not walk in looking like a bum, so keep yourself prepared physically.  More than that, bumming around the house will only help to make you feel worse about the situation (even though, and I can’t stress this enough, it’s really not that bad). EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXECISE!
   2. In Your Community: Join a local non-profit organization. Do good, feel good. Simple.
3. Create a Project
   1. Start your own Non-profit
   2. Start your own Business

The objective is to do something you always wanted to, but never had the time to do, and what better time to do it than right now? This is your chance to break out of the corporate world, and take matters in to your own hands- the way you’ve always wanted to!  For instance, I started brainstorming ideas for a non-profit organization, and am now in the process of making it officially registered in the state. If I wasn’t working, I would most likely devote all the time I had to the cause because it is something I strongly believe in, and know I can do something about. Get the idea? Utilize the time you were gifted with to be proactive in your community and to yourself.

1. Learn: Keep your mind active
   1. A new language: you can go to your local book store and find “Teach Yourself [language] in 10 minutes a day” for about $10 (at least that’s what my Japanese and Arabic books cost! These books are effective and great if you follow the instruction.)
   2. A new instrument: Have a musical friend or relative? Have you tube? They/ it can teach you many things including how to play the piano, guitar, drums, etc.
   3. A new recipe: Google, Stove, and something to cook the food in. That’s all you need.

 Higher education: Prepare for graduate school if you have not already done this (Like Me). It is always good to have a back-up for the future or an alternative route for right now.

1. Globe-Trot: Given you have been saving up for it
   1. Go on a retreat: Lots of yoga places and religious organization offer retreats at discounted prices that you could attend
   2. Take the Vacation you always wanted, for as long as you want
2. Get a job at a store or local café for cash flow. Do not rely on unemployment to fund you.  Truth be told, you and I may be unemployed for a longer period of time than desired, so keep yourself prepared for that, and find a job that can somewhat “hold down the fort” while you wait.  Also, the unemployment funds in most states are running low with the ever increasing unemployment rate, and so they are going to only be able to provide you with a limited amount of money for a limited amount of time.
3. Get a Makeover
   1. Physical: Get a haircut, try a new make-up look, get a massage/facial
   2. Mental: Meditate, read, inform yourself, learn, write, etc.
   3. Spiritual: Meditate, reflect, and renew your mindset.
4. Create
   1. Write  a Book
   2. Create an Art piece
   3. Write a song
5. Develop a New Hobby
   1. Cooking
   2. Crocheting
   3. Stand-up comedy

 All of these things, and so much more are a good way to remain proactive and healthy while you wait to land that dream job ( and trust me , you WILL nail it.) Just remember you are talented, capable, and intelligent. Just because the economy got the best of your former company, doesn’t mean it has to get the best of you.

 Then, some of us are in the boat where we have been lucky to be employed for this long, but are teeter-tottering on the brink of potentially getting laid off. I am in that position myself right now. It is nerve-wracking and stressful. I know that, but here are a few ways to keep you prepared for the worst-case scenario:

1. Try and keep a $500-800 back-up of cash to get you through the first few months/weeks before unemployment kicks in or you find a local job.
2. Approach the lay-off as an opportunity for a fresh start in a job you really wanted to do, not at this  job with some ridiculous position which had no room for growth, and kept you chained to your desk with your micro-managing boss hovering over your shoulder at all times.
3. Have a Back-Up: whether it is grad school, a retail position, or both.
4. Gauge what opportunities are out there, and the REALISTIC time frame in which you think you will be employed/ want to be employed ( I would recommend an expectation of at least 3-6 months).
5. DO NOT get depressed!!! You are capable, intelligent, and your future is bright!

 With that being said, dear friend, go out there and conquer the world.  Life will bring you many hurdles, but the object is to jump over those and focus on the prize! You’ve got this!