Are you thinking about changing careers? Are you looking for a new job in a career field you enjoy? Do you plan on re-entering the workplace after a long absence? You’ve undoubtedly discovered that it’s tough to maintain momentum and focus constantly. The good news—when the sea is becalmed and nothing appears to be happening, there are things you can do to beat the work search doldrums.

There’s an ebb and flow to the energy around work life. Frankly some days can be depressing. I worked with a very fun friend who called the discouraging times the “blue funk.” On an occasional morning, she would announce loudly that she was in a blue funk that day. There was no mistaking how she felt—and certainly no way to talk her out of it!

We all occasionally feel down and feel let down as we pursue our goals. The trick is—don’t let it get the best of you.

These tips will help you maintain a positive attitude:

1.  Don’t indulge gloomy feelings and low spirits for long periods of time. If you invite these gremlins in to stay, they’ll rob you of vital energy and paint your outlook blue.

To read more about depression, see WebMd’s Depression Health Center and The National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) “Depression.”

2.  Watch out for magical thinking. People look for shortcuts. As appealing as the easy paths seem, you know the level of commitment and extended effort your goals ask of you. Your success depends upon your staying the course.

3.  Don’t wait for something to “just happen.” The economy to turn around, the job market to improve. Be proactive now. Continue to work your action plan each day. Fight the temptation just to sit down and wait it out. Find the right opportunities by persevering.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites an increase in “discouraged workers,” those people who have sadly sidelined themselves and are no longer pursuing work. Stay in the game.

4.  Shake things up a bit. Do something outside of your comfort zone. Take a risk today that will move you another step toward your goal. Make a follow-up phone call, invite a former colleague to join your professional network on LinkedIn, sign up for a new networking event, research and directly contact an organization that attracts your interest.

You’ll be surprised how action will energize you, helping to mitigate some of the feelings of helplessness that often accompany the work search.

I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it. -Thomas Jefferson

Today’s question
How are you coping with the discouraging aspects of the work search?