Being recently jobless, I'm finding myself increasingly bored out of my mind, and yet decreasingly motivated to do anything about it. This is a very scary thought considering all that I need and want to get done these days, and I hope I break out of it ASAP.

Since this is a new issue for me, I was just curious what some of my fellow S owners do to motivate themselves to exhaust their to-do list, work on projects, strive for long-term goals, etc. Anyone? Anyone?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SteveUCI
[B]Being recently jobless, I'm finding myself increasingly bored out of my mind, and yet decreasingly motivated to do anything about it.

 

May, I'd say You're The Man, but it wouldn't be true.

So here's what I've learned so far:

1) Smile -- I love smiling, but lately I haven't as much, I definitely need to do it more!
2) Hang out w/ friends -- oops.
3) Shutting off the computer -- So true, a while back, I took my car into the shop to get painted... took a whole 3 weeks. And during that time, I sorta just shut myself out of the outside world. No internet, said no to lots of social invites, etc -- BOY WAS I PRODUCTIVE with stuff I'd been wanting to do for a while! But it definitely wasn't socially healthy to isolate myself like that.

So -- it's a matter of balance, as always.

Thanks May! **HUG** BTW, I'm glad that you surprised the person you love, too.

Anyone else?

 

I don't have any friends.

 

Steve -
It becomes difficult at times - especially since life before, in those employed days, provided you with structure and places to be at certain times. Heck, even having a gf nearby provides some structure or motivation to shower before 5pm in the evening!

Try to get out - at least stick your head in a coffee shop and read - away from computers and television sets. Pick up a copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, if you don't have a copy already. Its something non-work related, nor practical for employment. However, not everyone is hired for their experience, sometimes it just comes down to "is this guy going to be someone I can have a great conversation with each day that we go out for lunch?"

Cook indoors often, or along with friends - its much cheaper that way and eating out, even at fast food joints, can hurt the budget.

Do something to provide your life with structure, even if its walking up and down the street at a given time of the day. More like ritual to keep you going.

Anyways, maybe this helps, maybe it doesn't. But those are my two cents, at least for the time being... while I'm up at 4 in the morning.

 

If you need something to do, you can come to Orange Park Acres and help groom the horses.

(This may sound flippant--it is, a little--but it can help get you in the right frame of mind. You're doing something important, the horse depends on you, and, frankly, being around these beautiful animals is spiritually uplifting. It makes it easier to tell yourself, "I'm better than this, and I can get out there and accomplish something.")

 

I take a drive.

Tan

 

Steve-
Bro you need a vacation....
Like Van Wilder says "let's get ed up!"
After a brief break hit the job market like a 90mph fastball!
maybe take off somewhere you havn't been...take advantage of your BRIEF time off.

 

Whenever I am unemployed-which happens about once a year-I work really hard to keep some structure in my day-to-day.

1. I go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time each day. This helps eliminate the urge to lounge around in front of the tv or PC. This also helps to keep me in a rhythm for when I do go back to work.

2. First thing I do when I get up is shower. My day really doesn't start until I am clean. If I delay my shower, the day never starts.

3. I make a list of tasks I want to complete. This can be an ongoing list or a weekly list. The list helps to make trips out of the house much more efficient and gives my day focus.

4. I make sure I have at least one day during the week off to read, meet with friends or simply slack. This gives me motivation to work the rest of the time.

This is just a short list, but I hope it helps.

 

Last time I was unemployed, I planned my weekdays somewhat like Nin said. I would plan to work on job hunting for about 4 hours each day, from 8am to Noon (or 9 to 1 or whatever), then I would permit myself to screw around playing computer games or watching tv in the afternoon as a reward. Sure, I was only treating jobhunting as a "part time job" during that time, but I found that I just couldn't sustain that type of effort for a full day every day. Also, I didn't work on it over the weekends, except a little time spent looking for good job listings in the Sunday paper.

Good luck to you!