Great Minds Think Alike!!!

I've been writing here and on my Facebook Page about my "office" at Panera for months.  Many of my friends still think I actually work for Panera.  I do "work" there, but I don't don't serve coffee or make the bread. I am "working" at Panera looking for "work."   I use their Wifi and comfy seating to create a remote office.  This work does not earn a paycheck (but I think the only people who really care about that is is the unemployment office).  

In the meantime, I am thankful for the remote office. The key is that I am out of the house. I am dressed and on the move.  I believe in my heart that keeping focused on the search and staying positive is is the right way to get the job of my dreams. 

One other side effect of going to Panera, is that I have fallen in love with the Panera Mac and Cheese, which I now include in my profile photo.  One friend was so impressed by my promotion, she actually wrote a touching letter to Panera about me. How awesome is that!!!????  She suggested I would make a great commercial for them. I agree.   They wrote back. They said they would forward to the corporate office.  I am waiting for their call, or a team of managers to swarm up to me, like Ed McMahon and Publishers Clearing House, while I am sitting there "working." Come on, Panera.  Make my YEAR!   (My office hours vary, but I am there EVERY Wed from 12-5pm in case you need to schedule the camera crew).

Another  friend of mine sent me an article about people who created their remote office at coffee shops and the library. First of all, I was incredibly touched that he thought of me.  Its that power of friends that I spoke about months ago in ths blog.  Here's a friend that takes a second to send me a link, that says, "keep it up." That's priceless.  Anyway. I liked the article, THE DAILY GRIND by By DEIRDRE DOLAN and JENNIFER DANIELS and I thought I would share it here on my blog.  It just goes to prove that I am not alone.  I hope it inspires others to get out there and make something happen for themselves.  

Come on people, get out of your caves.  Opportunity is out there waiting for us to find it.   Maybe it is at Panera, maybe it is at the local library. I am 90% sure it is not on the couch!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Enjoy Life.  This is not a dress rehearsal."

Top 5 Lessons Learned from Unemployment (so far).

Well today is roughly my 7 month unemployment anniversary. It also is my 4 year anniversary of my first downsizing from Columbia House (which at the time I thought was the end of my world.)

While this layoff is much longer than the the last one (which lasted 4 months), I'm am in a much better mental place this time around. I am chalking this up to lessons learned from the first one.   Looking back I seriously think my first unemployment stint was God's way of preparing me for this tougher time.

As I reflect on these two unemployment experiences, I can't believe how much I have grown as a person.  I thought I would share some of the things I have learned.

Here are my Top 5 Lessons Learned (so far) from Unemployment:

1. Stressing yourself out doesn't find you a job any faster.
   I learned from my first experience that this kind of stress actually makes you sick, which is a downward mental and physical spiral. You have to just accept the situation, and do what you can to fix it, but don't let it get you down.
   
   
2. Make the most of the time you have been "given."
   Last time around, I was so focused on the job search, I didn't take time to smell the roses. I remember talking to this guy Eddie, right before we were laid off. He said that if he got the axe, he was just going to take some time and enjoy himself. I thought he was crazy. He had a family and a mortgage. How could he afford to do that???
   
   The truth is, you can "afford" it. First of all, you have to accept the fact that unless you have MEGA savings account, unemployment is going to hurt financially, no matter how frugal you live. But after you work on job hunting you are rich in TIME. My first advice is while you still have some funds, do SOMETHING (at least one thing) you always wanted to do. Take that trip you always wanted to take, experience life. You always said you wanted to see X or do Y.  My advice is to do it and make it the best experience ever!
   
   I always wanted to become fluent is Spanish. I decided right after I got the news that I was laid off that I was going to make it happen. I called my HS principal and asked her to help me make a connection with Sisters in Chile. Next thing I was in Chile living in a convent (That's a whole blog in itself). Do you know what a incredible gift that was? I paid for the entire trip with credit card miles. And I learned so much more than just Spanish! I also rode 100 miles on my bicycle in one day (TWICE) this year. This was something I have been working towards doing, but never had the time to train for. I made it a goal, and thanks to daily spin classes, I was able to lose weight and get in shape for the ride. What is better than that?
   
   Once you are done, taking care of YOU, then make the most of time with your friends and family. This time is a gift. So are your family and friends. Share this time with them. And then, after you do that, make sure you do things that make you feel good about yourself. Volunteer, help your neighbors, whatever. You have the time, enjoy it every way you can.
   
   
3. Your house is good for shelter from the cold, but bad for job hunting.
   Last time I was unemployed, I was given 3 months of going to unemployment counseling in the city. The benefit included counseling services, workshops and use of a computer, copier and fax machine. It offered me a great way to get out of the house. This time around, I have Panera. It offers great coffee, fantastic sandwiches and FREE Wifi.
   
   I just really think it is important to get out of bed and get out of the house. Its good for the brain and good to keep your mind stimulated. Technology really makes that that possible...all you need is a laptop with wireless access and a cell phone.
   
   
4. Your friends are the best support system in the world.
   Maybe it is me, but I have some fantastic friends. If they are not sending me job leads, they are just reminding me of my accomplishments. And now with facebook, this support system is intensified and multiplied. They are a gift and I am so thankful for them.
   
   
5. You need a plan for EACH and EVERY day.
   This is a lesson that I think is really important. Time flies and you have to make the most of every day. I end every day with a list for tomorrow. Its a manageable list, nothing too crazy, but a plan just the same. When I wake up in the morning, I know I can't stay in bed. I have to do the Laundry, go to Panera for 3 hours and job search, stop at the store buy a birthday card, go to the gym and do food shopping for the week. When I go to bed at night, I know that I did all (or most) of the things that I set out to do, and that makes me feel good. I don't have a big black cloud of "things to do" hanging over my head. I have a list that I can check off.
   

So, those are my lessons learned (so far). I am hoping to be out of this situation sooner than later, and will be celebrating my anniversary of my new job.  But I know I can take whatever comes my way. Do you have lessons you can share? I'd love to hear them.

The Dash - What matters most is the dash between those years....

You are so much more than your Job
I can't explain how easy is it to feel down about yourself because you don't have a job. Maybe it is because there isn't money coming in to give yourself financial "value." But regardless of your current employment status, it is important to remember: you are so much more than what you do for a living.

My sister sent me this video, and this really put things into perspective for me.



This video really made me realize and remember that yes, having a job is important. It is your way of earning money and contributing to paying your expenses. But, it doesn't define how smart you are, the kind of person you are, and what you mean to you family and friends. It is not your life.

Life is short. This time of unemployment will be (relatively) short too. You just have to do your best to get through it and find your next job. In the meantime, you can be helpful to your friends and family and those around you that can use your help and skills.

You are more than what brings in the bacon people. Don't let not having a job make you forget that.




Inspirational Poem of the Day:
The Dash Poem, by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?