How to Stay Positive in a Bad Job Market

Are you looking for a job or for new ways to make income? It's really a bear out there; one needn't look far to see the challenges of the Great Recession: jobless friends, a dour media, not to mention you, the under- or unhappily-employed. Trillions of dollars simply disappeared from the world economy, and it's likely that you've felt the effect on your own pocketbook.

On a personal level, I am job-searching myself right now, not because I don't make enough money to support myself, but because I have multiple part-time jobs, none of which provide me with health insurance. With the US heading toward 50 million people without health insurance, I'm one of many. But the job search is really hard! One needs to be honest without looking through rose-colored glasses. I've made a list of strategies that are useful for keeping a positive outlook while job-searching in a bad economy:

1) Avoid negative media reports. Control the "company" you keep. Over the last year-plus, the news media -- internet, radio, TV, print -- have made the economy the top story, and who can blame them? People are struggling, whether that means being out of work or underemployed. The facts can be overwhelming. But if a fact is contagiously negative, don't deny the fact, just don't keep company with it! I find this an effective way to avoid a pessimistic attitude. Instead of listening to the negative news, I keep company with books and media that have universal insights independent of the current economy.

2) Commiserate with people like you, or who may even be worse off than you. This strategy seems to contradict the first one, which is to keep good company. Usually, our culture blames the victim for their unfortunate status, but believe me, in this economy, there are a lot of hyper-talented people frustrated with unemployment or underemployment. Won't their pessimism or struggles contaminate the positive energy you are trying to build?

My experience is just the opposite. I have been feeling pretty frustrated with my own job search, and my goal is a full-time job with a health insurance benefit. But a few nights ago I went and had dinner with three people who are living in the same house -- all of them unemployed! My own frustrations suddenly appeared selfish. While I have three jobs, albeit three part-time jobs, here were three people with more experience and qualifications than myself who have no work. I came to realize that my current situation is not so bad, and also that my goal is actually quite reachable. I just need to network and catch a break!

3) Remember: You're the one who will get hired as long as you can demonstrate that you bring value to an organization. How many rejections can you take? Some people can't take any, so they never try. They accomplish nothing, but they don't fail. If you can take one rejection, you can take ten, and then a hundred, even a thousand. You can be fearless in the face of infinite rejection.

Kobe Bryant is one of my favorite athletes, although he's not as well-liked as some other sports celebrities. But within his profession of NBA basketball, he is the most respected player because of his willingness to take the final shot of the game. But how many final shots has he missed? Many. But when he takes that final shot, does he worry that he's going to miss? No, he's fearless. Kobe could miss a thousand times and still believe the final shot will go in. Kobe's LA Lakers were blown out by the Boston Celtics in the 2008 Finals. But where was Kobe the very next year? His team won the championship -- moving from rejection to success was as simple as keeping at it.

4) Do the task at hand. Another metaphor is, "Tend your garden." People are attracted to optimism, especially in an environment of pessimism. One cliche you've probably heard is, "Do what you love and success will follow." Well, that's not a very complete way of putting it. A better way to put it might be this: Focus on what you contribute and how you create value, and the end result will present itself. This cliche I find very true: We all get what we seek in this world. In a bad economy, a positive outlook is itself a sought-after commodity. A pessimist taints his or her contribution or may not contribute at all, or even take away from others. The world needs positive people who create value so much that it's only a matter of time until you reach your goal.

5) Get out of the house. Turn off the TV. Stop staring at the computer screen. Get regular exercise. Seek out new people and experiences. I think of negativity as a cloud. If you're stuck in the fog, what does it take to get out? Well, take a walk and be patient, and the fog will disappear. It's not enough to notice negative thought processes -- one must take action to get rid of negative thinking!

These are the strategies that I use to stay positive in a bad job market. One of the most encouraging things I have read is this: Imagine that our economy has 10% unemployment. That means that 90% of people are employed. 10% is a lot of people to be unemployed, but 90% is a much larger number, and those 90% of people include people unhappy in their jobs and people that may retire or get sick or die suddenly. How many of the 90% could you make a bigger contribution than, with your positive attitude and value-creation? It's not the economy that's holding you back, it's your own unwillingness to keep your mind flexible and your outlook positive.