I came across a good article in the November 19, 2009 Wall Street Journal entitled Idle Hands: Some Puritan Advice for the Unemployed. Link here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704431804574541403268485712.html
Anyone and everyone who has been unemployed for over two months knows that unemployment is rough. This article points out some Puritan ways of dealing with unemployment and this job market. Following is some of this Puritan advice:
1) Get over your reluctance to take a lower paying job, a job that has less status, or is not in your field because you feel like a failure if you do. Here’s why according to Puritan thought:
The Puritans, unlike others in the 17th century who held sacred occupations higher than secular ones, felt that every profession was equal. The farmer with the plow should be respected just as the priest is respected. Oftentimes we may look over a position because it pays less or has less status because of our ego–in these days and times we may have to just tell ourselves, “Get over it”, (and fast) because a lot of people are realizing that getting paid less is better than getting paid nothing. Repeat this Puritan mantra, ”I am no less a person if I can’t find a job in my field ESPECIALLY in this job market”.
2) Do something! Do not be idle! No one can job search all day. So, what are you doing the hours you aren’t job searching. Don’t feel like you have to brood. The Puritans highly discourage this and idleness. So, this is permission to have fun! Pursue a hobby, read some books, take a class. No one said you have to suffer because you’re unemployed! I’ve been there, so I understand. I thought I had to suffer because I didn’t have a job. I felt guilty for going another day without a job, especially when bills were piling up. Again, these enjoyments don’t have to cost money–go to your local library and get books, cook meals from a gourmet cookbook with budget ingredients. The key is to not let your stress lead to stagnation.
This article was a fun Thanksgiving take on how to survive unemployment. So, remember:
- You are not a failure if you take a lower paying/lower status job–it’s all the same to the Puritans!
- Also, don’t wallow in your unemployment. Set aside a time to job search efficiently, then do what you love! You can’t be effective in your job search if you’re constantly stressed and unhappy.
Let me know how being a Puritan works for your job search!
