How To Stay Motivated During Job Search

Easily, staying motivated is the number one issue facing job seekers today.  No wonder, it is taking longer to find employment and time has a way of chiseling away at your confidence and motivation. 

When you look at the physical things some people have endured, how did they stay motivated?

• A woman in labor
• A marathon competitor
• A visit to the dentist for a new filling
• A weekend with the in-laws 

They can tolerate and get through these things because they knew there was an end and in most cases, they knew when that will occur or at least that it wouldn't last forever.

When you look at some of the other things you've endured, you survived all those as well (oh, these are mine, maybe not yours).

• Finding a spouse
• Accumulating money in your savings account
• Buying your first house
• Getting your 1,000th Twitter follower
• Losing 25 pounds
• Giving up alcohol

Does it take motivation to reach your goals?  Yes. While I am not an expert in this area (I am not the best goal-setter), I do know that the more specific the goal the clearer it will be for you to set a course and follow it. 

Staying motivated can be achieved by feeling satisfied.  To feel satisfied, break your goals into bite-size, achievable pieces.  If the long term goal; and let me state it again, long term because this will take longer than you want; is to find a job, what are the incremental steps it will take to get there? 

• Lots of meetings
• Lots of interviews
• Lots of resumes submitted
• Lots of rejection

"Lots" is a number you will have to establish for yourself.  It varies and those numbers are increasing with job seekers every day.  Reward yourself for achieving the short term goals.  Don't let the nay-sayers beat you down. There are plenty out there that want you to play the pitty-fiddle with them.  Hang with those that are moving forward and continue to move toward your goals.

The short answer is, that staying motivated is personal.  You control it based on your expectations.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Every one can find a job.