Job-hunting is not a full time position and with so much down time even the most motivated, at some point, will settle into unemployment sedation.
Trying to be busy when there is nothing new to do can cause excessive Internet surfing, TV viewing, exercising and napping.
The job-hunting routine has become stale and it's easy to become boring too.
Mining job leads from a home office or dining room table is the true constant-like the beat of a metronome.
Even coffee and lunch breaks are perfectly timed.
If energy begets energy than lethargy begets coma.
This sliding into a routine doesn't go unnoticed; you know you're not doing ALL you can.
And yet..
..
you're doing the right things; sending resumes, checking job postings and networking, possibly finishing up the can-do list by noon.
After lunch comes the "I don't know what else to do" question.
Repeat pattern for the rest of the week.
Realistically all unpaid work hours can't be filled with productive endeavors but small movements can revive the unconscious.
1.
Home sweet home office needs a shake up.
Get uncomfortable, think of your office as a hair shirt-one you want to change out of as soon as possible.
Move the furniture and electronics, change chairs, have someone else go in and re-arrange it for you.
Love it or hate it a new environment breeds' new behaviors.
2.
Start your day by writing down one excuse for not doing anything differently.
For example: "Nothing happens on Friday" is perfectly valid and will make it into your top 5 list.
Although there is no shame in the truth after a few weeks of justifications the discovered pattern may become cringe worthy.
3.
Talk to a friend whose luck has changed for the better and feel sorry for yourself.
Want what they have-just harder! Their recycled regiment ended before yours -at that moment they were more determined.
They did something to re-engage and it may not have been directly job related.
You can do that.
4.
Try one thing your newly successful friend did to climb out of their slump but pick something you've never done (toastmasters, tennis, new coffee shop,) Silly or not...
onward ho! When the walls close in sneak away with pride just run in a new direction.
5.
Be assertive, not clingy.
Call the people who you aren't closest to more often.
It's itchy but so is a hair shirt.
If you don't want to call or feel insecure put it on your daily excuse list.
You will wind up calling when you are ready.
6.
Practice improving your sales skills with how you negotiate with yourself.
Left-brain "I just can't call Bob again" Right Brain "OK.
" Which side had the more pervasive argument or was it a tie? You simply knew what you wanted.
Now pick what you don't want and talk yourself into it.
Sales (aka self promotion) probably isn't your career but it is your job until you find employment.
Speak out loud as you sell yourself on an idea, a desire or an agenda.
Knowing how to turn it "on" blazes the trail for the "why you" interview.
Look for inspiration and stay willing to try new things-jot down 3 untried ideas to wake up-it will eat up at least an hour.