Can Job Search Be Enhanced with Relaxation and Reflection of Vacation?
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 4:01PM
William Henry Nurmi II has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a MBA from the University of Phoenix. Bill has a background in operations management, logistics, and sales. Bill is an avid bicyclist and is a volunteer on the board of directors at the Mission of Hope Cancer Fund. He lives in Lansing, MI and is currently seeking new employment while serving as a Post-Graduate and Career Transition Fellow of Optimism with Moment-to-Moment Enterprises. Bill’s Fellowship project entails writing about optimism and providing advice and consultation on marketing, sales, and new program development. Today’s guest post is the eleventh in a series of posts that Bill writes under the title: “Adventures of a Struggling Optimist.”
Preface by Dr. Russ: I am really glad to have another "Struggling Optimist" blog from Bill. I missed his witty insights last week. After Bill debunks the criticism for taking a vacation while job searching, he tells how he took advantage of the warm sun and gentle sea breezes to do some genuine reflection. Research on “insight” and “creativity” tells us that some of the best “breakthrough” ideas come during a relaxation break taken after deep problem immersion.
I'mmmmm Baaaaack!!!
It’s really good to be back everybody, well, pretty good to be back. I missed last week’s blog because I was in sunny Mexico. Please don’t ask me “Why did you go on vacation when you don’t have a job?” The truth is, I don’t know. My family invited me and I said yes; that is why I guess. Even the US Customs agent asked me why I went! Geez people, can’t a guy leave town?
I needed a vacation, so I took one. I had a full time job up until October of 2009 and had not taken a vacation in 18 months. In addition, a full time job search has me just as busy and stressed as having a job. Either way you look at it, I needed to get away for a week. Why am I even justifying my reasoning here? I went, and that is that.
Relaxed Reflection after Problem Immersion
I was able to do some thinking while I was away. The pleasant weather afforded me the opportunity to lay outdoors and reflect on the way I have been approaching my career transition, to assure that I am going in the direction that I need to be. I was laying in my hammock reading a book with the breeze floating by when it occurred to me that maybe I could move to Mexico; at least it would be warm all the time!
Mostly this is a fantasy; a dream world where I could live my whole life relaxing in paradise, like I was that quiet peaceful morning. This fantasy stirred up some thoughts and emotions in my head like poking a bee hive, thoughts are flying everywhere. I think I may need to make a move.
Openness to New Possibilities
I guess I had never really seriously considered moving before. I had thought about it, sure; it’s obvious enough in a career transition, but I don’t think I ever REALLY entertained the thought. I say this because something has changed in me this past week. A switch has been tripped, and it’s telling me that it may be time.
I am close to my family and friends here, both geographically and emotionally, though I have to consider what’s best for me. Even if I do make a move it will not have to be forever. I need to keep this in my head to avoid being overwhelmed. I will of course make new friends if I move and can come back to visit family and old friends from time to time.
I am not saying that I am packing my bags this week, but it’s a real possibility for me and I have officially begun to look in different areas of the county. If I can’t find a job somewhere in this whole country, I will need to check my pulse!
Job Search Update
To keep my word and give an update on what’s been going on I will say that I was not chosen to move forward with the hiring process from that job interview I had a few weeks ago. It sure is humbling to be turned down; no matter how many times it happens it does not get easier. It is even more humbling to tell so many others about it in a forum such as this.
I say things like “I did not really want that job anyway; it’s over 60 miles away from here”. Keep in mind I say this in the same week I decide it may be time to move out of state! It makes no sense. The fact is that I am just protecting my ego; rejection is not easy. This is also the same week, though, that I have submitted resumes to three other companies. Now that’s something to be optimistic about!
Submitting Applications Spurs New Hope
One of the companies that I submitted to was one that has several positions posted, and has in the past as well, from what I have noticed. Is this company really growing that much? Do they just have really high turn over, which should give me a red flag so to speak, on whether I want to pursue the position? For this I am not sure, and it quite frankly is too early to consider those things when an offer has not even been made.
Staying in the Moment Keeps Optimism Abundant
I am, and need to remain, optimistic about the fact that I even have the opportunity to submit resumes for three different positions within one week! The fact here is that I am not only submitting resumes like crazy; I just came back from a wonderful trip, and I have the opportunity to perhaps make a move that could, and most likely will, change the course of my life and my future. If this is not a life to be optimistic about, I don’t know what is.
BN
Reader Comments (2)
Excellent post! Wow, lots to think about. I think you know I've moved around in my life. Loved the experience and now I have friends all over the place. I ended up back where I started, but the journey was fun. Of course, now that you've written this something will open up here and you'll grow gray and wrinkly in good old Michigan. That's the way of it. The benefit of freeing your mind from unnecessary limitations will help you. There really aren't too many boundaries for you. That should be exciting.
Sorry you weren't selected to move forward with that other company. Their loss. You've got a lot to offer and soon a company will wise up and stake a claim. Keep on pushing.
Hi Lisa, thanks for the comment, Its funny you mentioned that you have moved around. I did know that of course and the funny thing is, as I was writing this entry I thought of you and the fact that you have been in many areas of the country. Also, thanks for the kind words.
Bill