I couldn’t force myself to do this job. You do the same thing for hours on end, sitting on a bar stool or standing. You insert a small disk, pull a lever, and then do a quality check. It sounds horrible to me.
How do they get people to do it?
The way they get people to do it is by paying them over short intervals. They give them free drinks, breaks, flashing lights, and short term rewards. As a matter of fact, people pay to do the job. It is more commonly known as playing the slot machines at a casino.
How does this apply to my job search? My life?
No one would play a slot machine if they were paid nothing and got negative feedback and only frustration all day. Your job search wears you down if you only give yourself negative feedback all day.
In your job search, figure out how to reward yourself for a job well done. A job well done can be calling 5 businesses, sending out 7 resumes, going on one interview or having lunch with someone. Don’t wait until you get a job to celebrate. Reward yourself for small victories.
I am a professional job hunter. Every time I make a call to a brand new person, I get to toss a dollar coin into a cup and hear the ring of the coin. I really do. I get to go for a walk when I hit 20 coins. When I get to 30 coins, I have hit my goal for the day. I celebrate. No kidding. Every day.
Pick the hardest part of job searching. Reward yourself for doing something essential that you would rather avoid. You may not be able to make it fun and exciting, but I bet you can at least make it tolerable. Short term rewards can help you break through walls of resistance in your job search.
Something To Do Today
In your job journal make a list of things you need to do, but sometimes avoid.
Now make a list of rewards to make those activities more palatable.
————————–
Next: What motivates me
Later: Waiting for the “help wanted” sign
Networking
Calls to companies
Intelligent use of recruiters
Get famous, get a job