Pep Thoughts: Psyching Yourself Up

1. You may be in a job-searching rut.
2. You may be a clock watcher; wishing for the end of each day, intensely disliking your job, your boss, or both.
3. You may be taking on something new to further the career you already have or to move your career in a new direction (e.g. volunteering for more responsibilities so as to secure a promotion, joining a Toastmasters club to improve your public speaking skills, freelancing in order to change careers, or starting a new business)

What is the common denominator among all 3 scenarios?

While there is surely more than just one, I would like to bring fear into the light:

1. Fear stops us from hanging in there and keeping our eyes on the prize when jobs are hard to find or interviews keep slipping through our hands.
2. Fear stops us from embarking on the tough journey of self-discovery that leads to discovering what our true life calling is.
3. Fear can stop us from feeling confident in our talents and abilities when it counts, especially when we are trying something new that is out of our comfort zone.

Time for some "Pep Thoughts". What are they? Think someone giving you a pep talk but doing-it-yourself when fear shows its face. Here's how to fashion your own:

• Think of someone whose opinion you value tremendously. Someone who always gives you good advice. What would he/she say to you if you talked about the desperation that often comes with job hunting? Or the daunting journey of finding a new career? Or, when you are shaking in your boots trying to start a new business?


• Write down what this person would say. Then, add to it. You know yourself best. What do you need to remind yourself of when it comes to your talents? You know what you are good at. Now is the time to revisit that resume and remember all your accomplishments. If you're not happy with your resume, email us at trueprofessions@gmail.com and we will help you feel proud of it.


• Summarize these thoughts, whether in bullet point fashion or put it into a lengthier document. Whatever works.


• Put this in your wallet, paste it to the wall above your computer, put it in a desk drawer where you can easily access it every day, make it the first document you open when you turn on your computer....YOU GET THE DRIFT! The point is: look at it. And look at at it often.

The more you deliberately visit these "Pep Thoughts", the more ingrained they will become and the more they will help you psych yourself up to send out one more resume...take a career assessment to evaluate new careers....or simply go for it.

It's like that old saying "practice makes perfect". You have to do just that: practice. Practice thinking those thoughts but better yet, practice believing in yourself and all that you are capable of, casting nerves, frustration, and stress aside.

Remember that we all need someone on our side to help motivate us - why not let that be YOU?