Motivation to Look

Adding this because the post in which a user was seeking help with motivation was treated a bit rudely and has subsequently been taken down (while I was typing this, which was meant as a comment). That said, I hope that OP will se this and that it might help others as well. Please feel free to add tips, as this is merely a starter list of ways to motivate yourself to look for a new position: ———————— Don’t listen to these guys saying you’re already comfortable in your current position. You’re not or you wouldn’t have asked for advice. Motivation doesn’t work the same way for everyone and I, for one, can relate. Here’s what I’m doing and what I suggest: Write down the reasons you want to leave. Post then on your mirror where you get ready in the morning as daily reminders. If that location doesn’t work for you, post them on your home computer screen, a little in the way so they’re annoying and cannot be ignored. Set tiny goals: > today I will update my resume intro (only!) > tomorrow I will write a list of five brands I like > this weekend I will find one project I feel is portfolio worthy > ...etc. Set aside regular, recurring, committed time to the effort. Even if it’s just researching companies or networking on LinkedIn with all those people you should have kept in touch with and now you need. Whatever amount of time you can commit to starting with, start there. Even if it’s five minutes a day. Join your alumni groups on LinkedIn and if they’re not posting positions, post a thoughtful question that you expect will lead to responses. Once the conversation is going, mention that you’re looking. This is not only for those in the conversation but also those who will see it in the group feed later as well. I like LinkedIn’s paid career search but I don’t know that it’s necessary. That said, use LinkedIn to your advantage! Easy first step: filter jobs by “easy apply” ONLY (among the career-specific parameters that are relevant for you) and apply like mad. These are a few mins of reading and a few clicks each to apply. Set some of your tiny goals to get five of these done in a day. Later see if you can push yourself to ten because they’re so easy. >> NOTE: the value in applying this way is *not* in expecting to land the position! The value is in getting on the radar of the recruiters behind these posts, as many times that’s who’s running it. And by applying you’re adding to their list of qualified candidates *for positions like that one.* You know what motivates you best in your life. Use that against yourself and FORCE the issue. Get tough! Literally stand in front of your bathroom mirror and tell yourself to get your shit together. Seriously. Finally: try to change one habit a week. Make sure it’s something that contributes to this effort and it can start with some of the items above. You need rituals, habits, and to develop a natural inclination to do this. That takes a bit of time but does develop and does improve. I’m proud of you. You’ve taken an important second step. The first was deciding to leave. The second was asking for advice among peers. That shows progress and you need to give yourself credit for that! One step at a time. I believe you can do it. You need to believe that too. Go get ‘em!