Committing to Action - An Admission

I have to come clean.  I am not doing everything I can to find my next job.  There are a whole lot of shoulds that I can't cross off my list because I haven't done them.

• I should be joining some local networking groups.
• I should be joining more professional associations and attending meetings.
• I should be sending my resume out to all listings that have any semblance of connection to my experience and what I'm looking for and then work hard to find some network contacts at those companies.
  
• I should be networking more.
• I should be better at looping back to people I've met with both to let them know I'm still looking around and to keep in front of them.

It's said that job search is a full-time job.  If so, I must admit that I'm only approaching mine part-time.  It's not that I'm not doing the right things.  I am.  I just have to do them more consistently to bring it up a notch.

And I have to ask myself why I'm not running at full throttle.  Regardless of the advice I give, I know that part of it has to do with self-doubt.  Most of the things I'm targeting are truly under the heading of career transition and I can easily slip into a 'why would they hire me' state of mind.  That's a dangerous place to be when you're trying to make a change. This is where talking to yourself comes in.  This is where talking to your fans becomes important.

Admitting what you're not doing and why is the first step in making a change.  And, for me, it is time for a change.  So now I have to follow my own advice and kick this search into full gear starting right now.  I know the best way to do this is to set some realistic goals.  I don't plan on moving through my entire 'shoulds' list in a day.  I will set a few goals each day - all of which are doable - and in so doing, move into action.

Is this easy? Yes and no.  Yes, because I know I can make a call, search on-line, book a lunch meeting.  No, because I have to make myself do it.  Will I feel better when I'm back into full search mode?  Absolutely!

I have a cousin who has many challenges to deal with in life, including being legally blind.  Yet she gets up every day and greets the day with a smile.  She views each day as a new start with new opportunities.  And, her attitude and zest for life, her ability to put a positive spin on things, enables her to be fully independent and enjoy each day. 

My new mantra:  Every day is a new day bringing new opportunities for me to uncover and new people for me to connect with.