Surviving unemployment

If you or your spouse is "surviving unemployment" right now or even just wading through a severe slow down in your business, devising a plan can make all the difference.

• First off you can't ignore the mental anguish that this waiting period can induce, so you need to "get your head in the game". Talk to friends, journal, read, pray. Allow your self some time to lick your wounds, but then don't allow your self to get stuck in the negative self talk.
• Schedule your "work". Since your new job is to find a job, schedule it (example commit to Monday - Thursday I will get up early, get dressed and get moving, even to search on the Internet) Do NOT let yourself get out of the mindset that you must "get up leave the cave, KILL something, and drag it home" its essential that you don't get distracted with mindless TV and fruitless distractions.
• Take a break to GIVE, notice above I said hunt from Mon-Thurs. that's because this is draining and you do need a break, but with this time, reach out & help others, volunteer at a food kitchen or help a friend. There are always people worse off, REACH out, HELP someone else. It will help you feel useful.
• Tend to your relationships, during this stressful times its easy to turn on the ones that love you, especially if you are feeling a bit unlovable. Again turn the TV off and talk, play board games, go for a walk. Anything else" free & legal " that helps keep your life intact. You can't control some parts of life (like this economy or the waiting game your in) but you can do the right thing everyday, knowing in FAITH that this is temporary.
• Lastly, track your money. Take care of the neccessities, food , shelter, utilities and transportation, heath care, FIRST and then all else later. This is survival, not time to be in denial!