5 Tips for Taking Advantage of This Time of Transition
Posted by Diana Needham on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
5 Tips for Taking Advantage of This Time of Transition
So you’ve found yourself downsized and let go from your company. You are treating your job search as your full time job and now have some free time when you are not focused on the job search. After all, now you do not have the commute time and all those additional hours you were putting in.
You’re used to getting up in the morning and going somewhere all day. In addition to looking for a permanent job and networking, there are a number of productive ways to invest your time during this period of transition.
Here are the first 5 tips for taking advantage of this time of transition.
Tip #1: Make sure your finances in order. You may not find this fun, but it can be great stress relief to figure out how much money is coming in from all sources (any severance, unemployment, any income from interest-bearing investments, etc.), how much is going out, what assets you have and how much money you’ll need to cover expenses every month.
Tip # 2: Get moving! Continue your exercise routine if you have one and consider trying some new things (a yoga class, new fitness session at the gym, new routines for using the machines and equipment, etc.) This will be great not only for your health but for your emotional well being. If you have been working a lot of hours in an office all day, this is a great time to take up jogging, walking, lifting weights, yoga or whatever you’d like. Playing team sports is a good idea. Of course make sure you discuss this with your doctor to ensure there are no health concerns with taking on the new activities and ease into it until your body adjusts. Exercise is a great stress reliever as well as providing many health benefits.
Tip # 3: Expand your horizons and learn something new. Take a class at a local college, community college or vocational school. It could be something that interests you and you have not taken time to attend a class, or some training that will lead to another job or career. You may be amazed at how many instructional videos are on You Tube that will allow you to learn something new.
Tip # 4: Explore earlier interests that you set aside because you were too busy. Maybe you played a musical instrument, painted, cooked, did some sort of craft or writing. Start doing that again. You might finish your novel this time. Maybe you have some books you’ve always wanted to read or movies you want to see. Now is a good time.
Tip # 5: Enjoy the outdoors and new places. Don’t be a recluse. Go out for hikes in the park, go to the coffee place and hang out or go to the bookstore to pass time. Check out the local art galleries and museums.
Watch for more career advice tips on this topic coming soon!
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