Journey → Three Steps to Staying Productive
A number of people have found themselves out of work during this economic downturn. In these times it’s important to keep building one’s personal skills, rather than wait for things to go back to normal. I’ve developed a three step method for doing so.
1) Move. The most important thing to do is move. This can come in many or any forms. Go to the gym, or for a run. Consider downgrading one’s physical location so rents or mortgages are lower. Attend industry meetings. Stay active online. The key here is to not get stuck or stopped. Keep the wheels turning even if they don’t seem to be carrying you the same distance as before.
2) Build. Once movement has begun, building is the next step. Although it’s more difficult to shoot for targets without the immediate promise of a reward, it’s necessary to start building. What should you build? That depends on your skill set. If you’re a writer, start a blog. If an artist, draw, sculpt or paint. If a business man, then perhaps a book, or a seminar series on an area of expertise. Pick something to build and build it.
3) Partner. The last step is to partner with others who are in the same boat. When things aren’t going as planned it’s easy to get discouraged. When discouraged, it’s easy to climb into a hole and sit there. Partnering with others can help keep the momentum going. It also keeps the spirits up.
There are many talented people out of work right now. Following these three steps will likely lead to getting oneself back into the workforce. And who knows, the silver lining might come in the form of a new career that wouldn’t have been an option before.
