Awaken Your Imagination and Satisfy Your Soul While Jobless

You can't avoid it, everyone's talking about it and it's usually the top news story on every station - the unemployment rate. Each of us is inundated with information from news reporters and information junkies including bloggers, Facebook commentators and even our own neighbors; all of which are eager to convey the monthly rate, the national rate, and, if one is willing to wait, even how the US rate compares to other industrialized countries.

Yet economic downturns are not new. In 1981, the unemployment rocketed to 10.8%. In 2001, the unemployment rate climbed to 8.7%. In 2007, it even reached 9.4%. So what does one do while dealing with the economic inevitability of, at some point in life, losing a job? Well, in addition to those information junkies spreading dour economic news, there are also plenty of websites, bloggers, books, classes, and self-appointed gurus, all willing to share how to successfully find a new job. And, yes, finding a job is important but being unemployed for a time also provides you with some unappreciated opportunities as well.

Just like the title to Bob Marley's famous song, "Satisfy My Soul". Now unemployed, in-between seeking a new position and cooking Ramen Noodles, you have a chance to feed your psyche. And, basic psychology teaches us that if you're satisfying your whole being, you're more likely to convey that ever elusive charisma, self-assurance and sense of self-reliance oh so sought after by potential employers.

So, how to begin? Below are four ways I've begun to feed my soul while seeking a new position. Try them out for yourself. Maybe try one each day. Then you may begin to understand what it means to "satisfy your soul" during your job search too.

1) Have Some Fun
Ever wanted to be on a reality show? Ever wanted to attend an Oprah taping? Well if you're unemployed, this is the time to do it. Take some time to find those fun opportunities that you would never be able to follow up on if you were working. I've attended an Oprah Show taping and tried out for "Big Brother" neither of which, had I been working, I could have scheduled into my day without my co-workers snickering a little bit, right?

2) Breathe
I book a little exercise into each day. Sometimes I go to the gym. Sometimes I just go for a walk. Either way, I get away from my computer. Getting away allows me to focus on myself for a little while. It allows me time to think about the new ideas, contacts, and information I've picked up during the day as well as time to reflect on my job search strategies. (Don't worry, the computer and the phone will be there when you return.)

3) Be Spontaneous
Let your friends know that you're available at the last minute. Everyone is networking these days. However, those working sometimes find themselves too busy to attend events for which they've already purchased tickets. Let them know that you can keep those tickets from going to waste. I've been to several sports events just because the salesman's business associates canceled at the last minute. So, I was a "warm body" that made the event appear well attended and, to my benefit, met a few new and interesting contacts.

4) Flex Your Mental Muscle
I've signed up and attended more free webinars than I can count. Some are good. Some are well, not-so-good, but at least I have something interesting to talk about at network events, right? Something besides how few jobs are out there and how the economy is in the tank.

Bonne chance! As you begin to enjoy some of the pleasures of being unemployed besides cheap cuisine, you may find a certain joy shining through during your interviews. I don't make any promises of course however shining during an interview is an important part of impressing any potential new manager.