Re-finding Motivation

Is it safe to say that the holiday season is now officially over? Unfortunately, it now means...for some...going back to work and for others it means that it is time to get re-energized, re-motivated and re-invigorated and try to find some work.

The question that I have is how? Having never gone through the holidays in the position that I am currently in, I am trying to figure out the answer to that question. It wasn't hard to get motivated when I first got here nor was it hard to stay motivated for a good, long while after I got settled in.

((Me looking like I do when I am on the computer//Courtesy: Phil's I-Mac))

But now as I sit here with the Wonder Dog asleep next to my chair, I really don't know what to exactly do next. I spent a lot of time in the fall trying to get involved with some Networking groups, which was interesting and they did give me some background and perspective, but I am starting to wonder what else the groups here can offer me. There are not many (met 2) people from my line of work involved with the groups and they really didn't have much to offer in the way of help. I've already decided that I want to stay if not in my chosen field, at least something pretty closely related. I really think that even if I could manage to get some freelance work that I could over time make that work and I don't know how much the Networking group would help me there.

The other part of the problem is time. My time is somewhat consumed on the days that I work my part-time job. I generally work from 5:30am until 1 or 2 in the afternoon, which is great because I get some money out of it, but by the time I get home, eat some lunch and get organized, Michelle gets home and I don't get much else accomplished. Granted, I still have 3 or so days a week to get my searching done, but the Networking group that I mentioned in the above paragraph meets on Monday mornings and I am beginning to think though I am occasionally off on Monday, I can better spend my time here, on the computer looking for stuff as opposed to 3-plus hours with the group. On top of that, one of the projects I started before leaving Atlanta, co-authoring a book needs to be finished...soon so that is taking some time as well.

Is there a solution to the problem I stated before I started rambling? I don't know. There has to be some sort of middle ground and that really is what I am wrestling with. I am very much a creature of habit who likes to get into a bit of a routine in terms of what I do, when I do it and how I do it and since arriving in Cincinnati, I have been completely unable to do that. I am trying to figure out a way to at least cobble together some projects that I can make some money off of. Ultimately, I really just want to get back to doing what it is that I do best. I'm not very picky as to whom I work for or where I work for them, I just want to not have to do what I have been doing right now.

Enjoy a motivational speech...from Gene Hackman in the classic movie Hoosiers: Thanks You Tube

Networking

Over the past couple of months, I've figured out what I guess most people who have had to look for work in the past couple of years already knew. The key to getting a decent job in theses times is Networking. Basically, as I think I mentioned in a previous blog; it's knowing someone...or knowing someone who knows someone or knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone in order to get into the job that you want.

Networking groups. That's probably the biggest thing that I've learned; there are networking groups out there, groups that meet and share information and talk about people, jobs and places in relation to work. You'd probably be surprised that up until my arrival in Cincinnati, I never thought about or even knew that such things existed, I never had a need for something like that.

A couple of blog entries earlier I spoke about Google. If you are in a position where you want to find a Job Networking group, use it. Do a Google search for groups in your area. Chances are, you'll find one.

Me, I was lucky. When my wife was transferred up here to Cincinnati, her company had a deal with a company to help adjust to and learn a new company. When they heard my situation, they came up with a couple of people for me to contact. I did that and they were kind enough to give me some other people to contact as well as some groups in the area.

The primary group that I joined is the Job Search Focus Group. It's a group of about 200 or so folks who maintain a database, list and connect people with others looking for work. They have meetings every Monday and usually bring in a speaker to talk about something job search related. It's, at least for me, been an eye opening experience.

To sum this up and not ramble on forever, my point is this. There is a really good chance that you are going to struggle finding a job unless you know someone in the company or business that you are looking at working for. You may find a job posting online, but if you do, you run the risk of it being already filled or being frozen or being advertised with no intention of filling. Plus, if you've seen it then so have thousands of others have too. I'm finding out that the best positions, the positions that you want to find are usually ones that aren't posted anywhere publicly. And if they are, you need to be able to get moved to the top of the pile.

On that note, enjoy Network...the Movie that is and the famous Howard Beale rant....Thanks You Tube: