5 Tips for Being Unemployed - Friday, July 02, 2010

     Freedom!  Today I decided to leave behind a corporate job where I languished unappreciated and disrespected.  But this is no regular career change.  I am completely restructuring my life.  Part of that process will involve writing this blog to share my journey and hopefully inspire others who may be on a similar path.

     Some of you may think that abruptly quitting a well-paying job is irresponsible or just downright lazy.  This is the reaction I’d expect from the majority of modern society.  Most people are focused on the day to day rat race that we call life.  I am trying to look at the bigger picture

     I’ve decided to take this time to explore life, and find a way to live outside of the influence of a materialistic society that judges me based on how much money I have in the bank, what car I drive, and the clothes that I wear.  I’m not saying that I’m going to eat out of a dumpster and wear rags, I’m sure I will still formulate a career of some sort. 

If you are quitting your job, or you’ve been fired here are 5 tips:

1. Remember that it’s not the end of the world.  People lose jobs everyday.  There was once a time when you did not have a job, and you went out and got one.  This is an opportunity to find something that you really love.  If you did love the job that you had to leave find your way back into that same industry.  You may have to live without some of the luxuries in life, but you will be able to find a way to get by while you are unemployed. 
2. Learn to define yourself beyond your job.  A minority of us are lucky enough to say that our career is our passion.  For the rest of us it’s just a job.  So why should you let that define who you are?  Take this time to look inside yourself and figure out what makes you tick.  Your passion is probably profitable.
3. Prioritize.  Write a list of the 5 most important things in your life.  This will help you to determine where you need to spend your time and energy (for me it’s my family, friends, writing, photography, and my health).  Remember that less is more.  If you have 100 things going on you will become frantic and anxious.  If you have 2 or 3 important tasks you are much more likely to finish them properly and promptly, and you will save yourself the stress.
4. Simplify.  To piggy-back on the idea that less is more, get rid of the clutter in your home that you never use.  Purging the unnecessary items in your household can be liberating and will help to clear your mind.  A cluttered home is visually distracting and can cause you to become stressed just by being there.
5. Live every moment like it’s your last.  If you knew that today was your last day would you spend it in a job that you hate, so that you can buy things you don’t need?  Take this mentality in your search for new sources of income.  Do something that makes you happy and affords you the free time to pursue your priorities from tip #3.  Every moment that passes brings you one step closer to your end.  Don’t waste them.

This can be the greatest time of your life; you will recharge your batteries and get back in touch with your true feelings.  Focus on yourself and those who are close to you.  This is going to be a great journey, and I’m happy to be on it with you.

Tell your friends.

I need you!  Help me spread the word about this blog, my photography, and my videos.  Tell your friends to check out this website.  Spread the word on your facebook and twitter accounts!  I appreciate your support and your input.

The Author

Crew Spence is a freelance writer and photographer residing in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.  He is currently writing his first ebook and producing a forthcoming vlog series.