Unemployed ….Year Later or More…Take Any Job You Can…Keeping The Family Together!

What a difference a day make but you never thought you would be out of work for a year or more?  Do you remember the day you were laid off ? Can you recall having a little extra money in your pocket?  Obviously, there one paycheck coming in and that’s not enough although you have accomplished much and gone through a rather vigorous transformation…and so has your partner or spouse and your family.

It’s obvious that your accomplishments are quite impressive but at the end of the day you’re not bringing home any money…remember money….

cooking and cleaning….yardwork…..dog sitter…..laundry services….scheduling of appointments and maintenance…..answering the phone…… if you have kids or children-getting them out the door…running or walking the errands…repairing things around the house….and at the end of the day act as if you’re not tired…maybe not as motivated…but feeling a little roller coaster like because this evening and especially tomorrow will come and it seems that it will be like yesterday…

Now think about it but not for long because you’re not bringing in a paycheck.  I suspect that even the new job or career ventures you have conjured up are but great ideas on paper….tried it but it didn’t work. The petty cash funding office for new ideas have closed.

You don’t have to go to CNN to find out what going on out here in America…folks like you are unemployed…some are transitioning into new careers…and some of you will go back to school..and some of you will lose not only your home  but your family….so a buck is a buck and you had better figure it out real soon…

Tips

1 forget about what you were doing yesterday in that last job…your past life

2 reinvent yourself real fast

3 you have shown that you can hold down a full-time or lengthy part-time job because you’ve accomplished much at home  during the past year or two

4 new resume…..new day……get your mind and body in shape for the new you…. get up off the mat…no title  …but with one objective….you love money..you need money…the family needs money…money makes the world go around…simple as that!

5 take any job you can…you can do it….i’m on your side…you are going to need an objective person on your side  who has been in your shoes… but understands quite frankly your social and economic status….no you’re not weird yet but you stand out like a sore thumb…no excuses…..

6 get a job ….part or full..as many hours as you can….even a little oil keeps the engine running and everything else …..getting out of that house may just do the trick….give you a new perspective on things

7 you ‘re on your way again…don’t look back …..go ahead and pat yourself on the back….  gotta love yourself  first….

finally….

8 Keep networking because you’re on  to something big …..some of you will write a bestseller…..besides those persons that are gainfully employed would probably benefit from your story

9 and no matter what ..stay positive and give thanks!

10 act today..tomorrow is will be another year

 

Curt Canada holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa and a Masters in Teacher Education from the American University in Washington DC.   Curt provides professional coaching in the areas of executive, career, life, and leadership development.  Find out more about Curt and his passion to help others at www.curtcanada.com

Expressing Thanks!

   Filling Your Gratitude  Basket

Curt Canada MSW

 

I know that we are all inundated with news events that have placed so much stress on us! Our questionable economy, foreclosures, health scare regarding the swine flu, and continued job loss has us overwhelmed.

Today’s article hopefully will bring some light, energy, and personal strength during seemingly tough times!

 

The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.

 

But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things, a new habit. And that can take some time.

 

That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.

 

Remember that gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope.

 

There are many things to be grateful for: Spring Tiger Lilies, legs that work, friends who listen and really hear, chocolate, family , tomatoes, afternoon thunderstorm, the ability to read, roses, our health, butterflies, new fresh spring grass! What’s on your list?

 

Some Ways to Practice Gratitude

 

•  Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way.

 

•  Make a gratitude collage by drawing or pasting pictures.

 

•  Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your nighttime routine.

 

•  Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in a challenging situation.

 

•  When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel.

 

•  Notice how gratitude is impacting your life. Write about it, sing about it, express thanks for gratitude.

 

As you practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work . Thank you so much for visiting me and reading my blog!

 

Curt Canada MSW provides coaching and consulting at Finding Your Zenith

 in Washington, D.C.    www.findingyourzenith.com

 

 

Author’s content used under license, © 2008 Claire Communications

Getting Back to Basics!

It seems that everyone has something to write about these days and that’s rather healthy. I sat down last evening to inventory my blog submissions to ascertain whether I had kept up with my initial theme. My readers were told back in April of 2008 that I would write about those human interest stories that were positive in nature, articles about overcoming personal challenges, tips and suggestions to help each of us.  The overall objective  had to do with striving to reach our highest potential. I set out to aspire and to inspire others in their day to day struggles!  I anticipated a deluge of comments ! This hasn’t happened at all and that’s one reason why I  have chosen to ask for your valuable input. I want to highlight your accomplishments that do not necessarily make it on the front page of our daily newspapers! I can only to do this if you help me get outside of my head .  That’s exactly why I ‘ve returned  to “Back to Basics“.  Your comments , stories, questions, successes, and challenges are vital .  Finding Your Zenith is an “about you ” blog! Let me know how you’re coping in an uncertain economy. Give me something to write about! I would like to know how I can help you set goals and reach them!  How bad is it out there for you in your communities and households? How are you managing stress? What role does prayer and meditation play in your life? Why clipping coupons can stretch your personal dollars?  In addition, I would love to hear from my current viewers  also ! 

Curt Canada MSW a graduate of both The University of Iowa and The American University provides personal growth coaching at Finding Your Zenith in Washington DC.  Go to www.findingyourzenith.com for further information!

February 4 2009″ A Day in which to Achieve”

If you recall I did right about the church I fondly enjoy attending over there on Rhode Island Avenue NE  in Washington DC. I wonder if the Pastor has wind or knowledge of my invitation to the President of the United States of America. I noticed that President Obama made a surprised visit to one of the many charter schools yesterday, a sort of getaway from the White House moment! This happened yesterday here in Washington. Nevertheless, i do hope that Abundant Life- Church of God and Christ at 2373 Rhode Island Ave. N.E. will be placed at the top of his list for the ” no news Sundays or when he wishes he were somewhere else .” Actually, it would be a pleasure to welcome the President and his family to our church and to see all the development and economic possibilities that exist for any extra dollars that doesn’t quite fit into the existing budget.  Let’s move on because the title of this blog is February 4 2009. I’m so glad that we’re just months away from spring minus a DC snowfall of about 2-3 inches. Hopefully today we will here great news coming from Capitol Hill regarding the stimulus package and the Budget. In addition, on the local front, I hope we will here that the crime rate has dropped, that  our children are attending school and doing all they can to stay out of trouble.  Yes, because this is the season of change , to think differently, to volunteer, to give, to share ,  to be polite or at least find out its meaning. It is a time to produce which is to be productive both in our communities across this land and in the workplace.  I see test scores rising because parents and students along with teachers are not subjected to test taking and have chosen to work together no matter how difficult the situation. Make sure that no one forget that things have changed here in America and that there are no longer any excuses. That in fact learning increases through one’s passion and desire to acquire new knowledge. Without this new knowledge through practice and inquiry that we succeed as a nation  and as a global community. February 4 2009 like each and every other day, a day as a former counselor would say, “ A Day in which to Achieve”.

Curt Canada is a graduate of the University of Iowa and the American University provides Personal Growth Coaching and Consulting at Finding Your Zenith in Washington D.C.   www. findingyourzenith.com