We tend to procrastinate doing things that we think will be challenging large projects or when we believe that we might fail. This is why we may not be motivated to look for a new job, even when it is really time to move on from an old one. We also get used to the status quo, which can make it difficult to break out of our comfort zones. In this article, we discuss beating procrastination during a job search and why you should start now.
Acknowledge the Procrastination
The first step to overcoming procrastination in your job search is to acknowledge the issue and understand what is causing it. There may be various reasons why you are delaying your job search. Some of these could include feeling overwhelmed, fearing rejection, or not knowing where to begin when wanting to start a new career.
Eliminate Distractions
Distraction can contribute to procrastination. For example, if you are trying to do your job search at home, you may have distractions such as children or television. So, it can be more effective to go out to a place where you will not lose your focus, such as a coffee shop or library.
In the Forbes article, “Beating Procrastination”, Joe Beccalori advises the “Just Start” method where you commit to just a few minutes to get a project started. Before you know it, you can be on a roll and complete it faster than you had imagined. It can also help to time yourself when working on tasks so that you won’t get sidetracked.
Create a Plan of Action
When you create a clear plan of action, you will have a roadmap to guide you to your goals. Create a list of the tasks that you need to do, such as updating your resume and social media profiles, searching for work, and reaching out to ideal connections online. Break these tasks into action items that you will do on certain days of the week, and block those times out in your calendar. This helps to ensure that they will be completed.
The amount of time that you spend each day on your job search can depend on whether or not you are currently working full time. But aim to spend at least an hour or two each day. A task that you should continually do, even when you are not looking for a job, is building your connections online.
Track Your Progress
Tracking your progress lets you see how much you are actually accomplishing each week and will help to keep you motivated. For example, you can create a spreadsheet where you track the people you have reached out to, businesses you need to research, who you are having interviews with, and who you need to follow up with. Staying well organized will help you to maintain your progress. Remember that the more action you take, the faster you will achieve your goals.
Get Support
Beating procrastination during a job search and staying on track can be especially challenging when you are going at it alone. At 2Actify we offer programs and support in the forms of individual coaching and group coaching to help you accomplish your career goals in record time. Lex, a financial analyst had a job find him within 2 months when he took the 2Actify Program. Listen to his testimonial!
