An actor asks himself, “What is my motivation?” The rest of us laugh at him. He’s trying to figure out which way to face on a stage.
Ice cream used to motivate me. I’d walk on hot coals to get it. I still like ice cream, but it won’t get me to detour 100 yards to a store now. Sometimes leaving work early is a great motivator. Some days a chance to go for a walk will get me to work hard. Winning is a great motivator at times. Sometimes letting my kid just barely win is a motivator. What motivates me changes hourly, daily, weekly and monthly.
Getting a job is often not enough of a motivator in your job search. To avoid pain, unmotivated people spend hours in front of a computer “playing” with job boards. There is no need to call people and admit you want a new job. Lack of real motivation is behind taking friends out to eat instead of creating a network by eating with more helpful strangers.
I have come to the conclusion that my subjective account of my motivation is largely mythical on almost all occasions. I don’t know why I do things. (Lloyd Dobens)
Use motivation in two ways.
- Figure out what motivates you to avoid a job hunting method
- Use motivation to get you to work harder.
Real networking is difficult for many. Calling up a company and asking for the manager, VP, CFO or President is impossible for many people. Try to figure out why that call is difficult, while a call to HR (Human Resources) is easy. HR knows less about jobs than the VP of Operations does. If fear or embarrassment keeps you from making calls to real decision makers, admit it. Talk about it with someone. Make some commitments and work your way through it.
Making a few MORE contacts can also be difficult. Find rewards that will get you to make a few more calls and submit more resumes. It can be that you will only watch your TV show if you get 3 more resumes out or make 3 more calls. Set a goal of only going golfing if you are taking a potential hiring manager from another company. Decide you won’t turn on the computer until you have made 4 follow up calls where you have submitted your resume.
Think of what motivates you today. Admit roadblocks and work around them. Find little incentives you can give yourself to do just a little more in your job search.
Something To Do Today
Choose one activity you avoid. Give yourself an incentive to do it. Now do it.
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Tomorrow: Waiting for the “help wanted” sign
Later: Networking
Calls to companies
Intelligent use of recruiters
Get famous, get a job
Sneaky no good cops set a trap for me