Happy New Year....Ten New Years Resolution Ideas for the Unemployed

Well, Happy New Year friends. Where does the time go? It feels like just yesterday  I was ringing in 2009.

I've been doing quite a bit of reflecting this year. I think this is a blessing that comes out of unemployment. When you are working, you are on track, and you don't have time to really sit and think about things like, "Where am I going? What are my flaws? Where can I improve? What do I really want to do with my life? But when your unemployed, not only do you have the time, I think you have to do this "work" to get yourself back on track.

In keeping with the theme of New Years resolutions, I decided to make some employment resolutions for 2010.  They may seem obvious, but I like the idea of having things to check off as accomplishments.

Here our my 10 New Years Resolutions for 2010.
1) Leave no stone unturned.
Networking is key to finding your next job.  I am going to do a better job of networking this year. I plan to attend 1-2 networking events a month.

2) Make getting out of the house a priority.
I always say that keeping moving is the most important key to keeping sane when unemployed.   I did a great job with this last year, but I have been slacking the last 2 months. I plan to get back to my list making ways and keep moving no matter what.

3) Stay on top of  health.
This year I plan to work harder on my fitness and diet. Starting the beginning of the year, I will do the Joy's Life Diet, go to the gym 3-5 days a week and get down to 180lbs.

4) Get to bed at a decent hour.
I've been going to bed at 3 and 4 am. This has got to stop. Its counterproductive and bad for my health. My resolution is to be sleeping by 1am.

5) Start beefing up the resume.
I have a great resume, but my experience is going to get real stale.  I will sign up for a class at NYU this spring.

6)  Get ready with my plan B
Unemployment is going to run out in April.  I plan to be working full time by then, but I need to start working on a plan B.  I think this will be consulting.  I have to get myself ready to do that. Networking will be part of this plan.

7) Volunteer and Give Back.
I may not have money, but I have time.  New York Cares is a great charity that I have worked with in the past. I think it is time that I use some of my time volunteering.  I will sign up at least 1 event a month.

8) Give myself a Break.
I love travel.  I know money is tight, but I can't keep denying myself.  I would like to go to California this year.  If things don't start heating up in the next few weeks, I am going to do it using my Frequent Flyer miles. 

9) Keep in Touch
This goes back to my networking resolution, but I need to reconnect with friends and former co-workers.  I have to start making coffee dates and making connections.  I will do 1-2 a month.

10)  STAY POSITIVE
This is my number one priority.  I will not let unemployment get me down!


Happy New Year Peeps.  We can do it.  We can do it!  Yes we CAN!

Merry Christmas. Love, Cobra....

What a Christmas gift I was given by the federal government...The 65% COBRA subsidy was extended from 9 months, to 15 months.  What a load off my shoulders!

In the past 8 months, I have been to the doctor more times than most of my 15 years working.  I even had a hospital visit. Anyone that knows me knows that going to the doctor is always a last resort for me.  But the body isn't what it used to be...and now health care is more important than ever.   I can't imagine the stress of knowing I need care, but skipping it based on the cost.

Thank you for the gift Mr. Obama.  This is what I need to keep my head above water.

 http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-yourmoney28-2009dec28,0,1437369.story

As far as the job hunt, it is going much longer than I expected, but I keep on trucking, with my head up. I know I am in good company and the new year is right around the corner.

Adjusting the sails....

Well, I am back at Panera today. It feels good.  I woke up to a nice sunny day, and I got up, got dressed and got myself OUT.

I say it again and again. Getting out is the key to staying positive.   And I am not going to lie...its been hard to stay up these days.  My sleep pattern and daily routine has been affected already.  I know I need to get back on track.  I am pushing myself, mainly because I can't afford to be negative right now. 

Anyway, step one to getting back on track is looking for new paths back to work.  So today, I'm back on the government websites...It takes a little time to decipher the descriptions, but I just know there are a few that are right for me.

Here are the websites if you are interested:

• New York State Employment Opportunities
• New York City Job Opportunities
• Federal Government Jobs

I'm also planning on attending a small business group tonight.  I think it will be a good networking opportunity.

Anything out there working for you???  Love to hear your advice.

Quote of the day:
“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” --Jimmy Dean

Have you checked your Flashlight Batteries?

Winter's here and I am having a hard time with the change in season.  My daily "schedule", which I created to keep me up and running  over the summer and fall,  has seemed to disappear with the sunlight. 

The biggest impact has been on my sleep. Last week I had 2 all-nighters.  I kept telling myself I had to go to sleep, but then I thought, "What for, its not like I have to go to work tomorrow." As a result, I look like the walking dead no matter how much make up I put on.  And overall, I feel like crap.

The lack of sleep has also affected my eating and gym habits, which I was so good about over the summer.  I'm eating junk and fast food instead of preparing meals, and I either nap though the gym classes or just decide to skip them.  A part of me says, let it go, you can snap back after the holidays.  But I think I'll work on fixing things this week.  I can't afford the slippery slope.

So far the job market is about the same as it has been the last 7 months.  I hear reports of things getting better, but so far haven't seen any changes. A few calls here and there, but nothing substancial.  I have to control what I can...and right now it is my health.  The rest will come when it comes.

I can't let the weather get me down.  I have to keep moving. 

Hang in there people...there is sunlight at the end of the tunnel.  In the meantime, I guess I'll use a flashlight.