Deciding what do with your life

xadoc

studentphil wrote:

Not really.

Swim from time to time

Web design but miles from professional standards

Don't worry about it. Few people can successfully turn a hobby into a career. And many of those who do come to hate the hobby they loved in the first place.

It's good to have hobbies for hobbies' sake.

P.S. I should have said in the post above not to forget to make your goals SMART and you can't go far wrong. (p.s. I hate the acronym, but it does have a purpose) :rolleyes:

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-limited.

studentphil

Today I washed the garage door, washed the windows, just went outside and got some air really.

studentphil

Yes, I started doing a simila thing thanks to Ted to break down my uni work into manageable chuncks. So a more general plan is probably a good extension of that,

xadoc

studentphil wrote:

Today I washed the garage door, washed the windows, just went outside and got some air really.

Wow, that sounds pretty productive. You can come and do mine if you run out, I hate cleaning!

I hope you feel all the better for having got the fresh air and achieved something with your day. Hopefully, if you live with anyone they will be pleased you cleaned the garage door and windows too; double benefit.

Did you find the distraction helped keep your mind off the stuff you're thinking about enough to get a bit of space and perspective on it?

It doesn't matter if it didn't. Keep keeping busy all the same with similar productive tasks. Cleaning is good. Plan and cook a nice meal for some friends - I know you said you were good at cooking. Tidy out a messy cupboard. Go for a swim, or a run, or meet up with a friend for coffee. All these things are good. Don't focus on the problem.

In amongst all this, set aside some time to get a newspaper and look through it for jobs you might be interested in. Find out what trade papers might be worth looking at at the library. Use online job search engines, look in the local paper too.

Request an application pack and job description for anything you're even slightly interested in, even if you think you're not qualified enough. Unless it says you must have X qualification which you don't, there's no harm in looking (even if you don't have the X qualification, there's still no harm in looking and applying if you really really want the job and are realistic of your chances...). You will miss 100% of the shots you never attempt, after all, what have you got to lose except a few hours work and a stamp?

As the application packs arrive, sort them first according to submission deadline. Set aside time once a week or more often to look through the application packs properly, discard any you're really not interested in, prioritise any you really like or those with looming deadlines. Give yourself at least 4 days before a deadline to complete the application and get it sent off.

Then pick one you're going to apply for. Don't worry if you're not that fussed on the job at this stage. If you get an offer of an interview, so much the better, but don't expect to hit the bullseye with your first dart. This is about practice.

Set aside time in your day to apply, concentrate on it and give it your full attention. Don't be tempted to give up on it - you've started so you'll finish. Aim to complete it within 2 days. If you get stuck, go away and do something else. Keep keeping busy with swimming, running, cleaning, whatever, when you're not working on the application. But don't focus on the problem. Go back to it, finish it and send it off as soon as you think it's good enough. It doesn't matter if it's not perfect, at this stage you're just getting practice at applying. And you will get better with practice.

Whether you get replies or interview offers, don't stop with this. Keep getting application packs, keep sifting and applying. Accept that you will get rejections - everyone does. You will only succeed by trying.

And don't forget, if you're not sure whether you'll like the job or not - that's what the interview is to find out, so don't worry about it at the application stage, just do your best with each one!

Unblocking negative thinking is a bit like unblocking a drain. You can put it off, but the problem will only get worse. Best to get on with it and tackle as practically as possible, before there's so much crap you're drowning in it!

studentphil

xadoc wrote:

Wow, that sounds pretty productive. You can come and do mine if you run out, I hate cleaning!

I hope you feel all the better for having got the fresh air and achieved something with your day. Hopefully, if you live with anyone they will be pleased you cleaned the garage door and windows too; double benefit.

Did you find the distraction helped keep your mind off the stuff you're thinking about enough to get a bit of space and perspective on it?

It doesn't matter if it didn't. Keep keeping busy all the same with similar productive tasks. Cleaning is good. Plan and cook a nice meal for some friends - I know you said you were good at cooking. Tidy out a messy cupboard. Go for a swim, or a run, or meet up with a friend for coffee. All these things are good. Don't focus on the problem.

In amongst all this, set aside some time to get a newspaper and look through it for jobs you might be interested in. Find out what trade papers might be worth looking at at the library. Use online job search engines, look in the local paper too.

Request an application pack and job description for anything you're even slightly interested in, even if you think you're not qualified enough. Unless it says you must have X qualification which you don't, there's no harm in looking (even if you don't have the X qualification, there's still no harm in looking and applying if you really really want the job and are realistic of your chances...). You will miss 100% of the shots you never attempt, after all, what have you got to lose except a few hours work and a stamp?

As the application packs arrive, sort them first according to submission deadline. Set aside time once a week or more often to look through the application packs properly, discard any you're really not interested in, prioritise any you really like or those with looming deadlines. Give yourself at least 4 days before a deadline to complete the application and get it sent off.

Then pick one you're going to apply for. Don't worry if you're not that fussed on the job at this stage. If you get an offer of an interview, so much the better, but don't expect to hit the bullseye with your first dart. This is about practice.

Set aside time in your day to apply, concentrate on it and give it your full attention. Don't be tempted to give up on it - you've started so you'll finish. Aim to complete it within 2 days. If you get stuck, go away and do something else. Keep keeping busy with swimming, running, cleaning, whatever, when you're not working on the application. But don't focus on the problem. Go back to it, finish it and send it off as soon as you think it's good enough. It doesn't matter if it's not perfect, at this stage you're just getting practice at applying. And you will get better with practice.

Whether you get replies or interview offers, don't stop with this. Keep getting application packs, keep sifting and applying. Accept that you will get rejections - everyone does. You will only succeed by trying.

And don't forget, if you're not sure whether you'll like the job or not - that's what the interview is to find out, so don't worry about it at the application stage, just do your best with each one!

Unblocking negative thinking is a bit like unblocking a drain. You can put it off, but the problem will only get worse. Best to get on with it and tackle as practically as possible, before there's so much crap you're drowning in it!

That is very good advice!

I think I have narrowed it down to two things I might like:



IT sales
Help Desk

They would be too things that could engage my IT interest without me needing to be hugely techie skills.

Progress at last:eek:

feelinggood_2

xadoc, you are giving great advice Can you help me sort out my life next?

xadoc

studentphil wrote:

I think I have narrowed it down to two things I might like:

IT sales
Help Desk

They would be too things that could engage my IT interest without me needing to be hugely techie skills.

Brill. :T

So enjoy your weekend. Don't worry too much about it. You now have a plan and some goals. You're not at your destination yet, but you're on the platform and you've bought your ticket... the train is scheduled to arrive any time soon!

Remember, don't focus on the problem, and be positive!

Good luck!

(I'm watching the thread so if you want to check back in here in a couple of days or whenever, I will reply whenever I see you post here).

xadoc

feelinggood wrote:

xadoc, you are giving great advice Can you help me sort out my life next?

But if you're feeling goooood, you don't need me!?

feelinggood_2

xadoc wrote:

But if you're feeling goooood, you don't need me!?

I was actually feelingupset at the beginning, but changed my name to be more positive Didn't work though

studentphil

xadoc wrote:

Brill. :T

So enjoy your weekend. Don't worry too much about it. You now have a plan and some goals. You're not at your destination yet, but you're on the platform and you've bought your ticket... the train is scheduled to arrive any time soon!

Remember, don't focus on the problem, and be positive!

Good luck!

(I'm watching the thread so if you want to check back in here in a couple of days or whenever, I will reply whenever I see you post here).

Thanks, I think now I can see a bit of goal I am okay!
Thanks for your wise advice!