F the Doom and Gloom

I now enter Week 3 of this new gig of mine, a day away from a much needed week-long jaunt to Vail, Colorado. And sticking to the strict schedule I mentioned last week, I have yet to seriously begin the actual job hunt. It's all about the mental state right now, "Centering myself" as a contestant on Top Chef said last week (right before she was eliminated). In order to do this sabbatical justice, I truly feel its going to take more than posting a resume online, tirelessly searching the job sites, and getting sucked into the "We're all going to die!" banter. Some recent issues to ponder...

Reading the paper over the weekend, I came across an article detailing the struggles of finding a job in this market. A recently laid off laborer was quoted, "I've applied for over 100 jobs and have gotten only 10 interviews, and only 2 call backs. I don't know what to do. " Great news! However I did not sprint for a nearby ledge after reading this inspiring advice. My first thought is this guy is a moron. I know, probably harsh criticism, but gimme a break! Applying for 100 jobs? Sounds like this guy is simply "going through the motions". I could see it may be easy to get down on yourself with practices like those. I then thought of how I could separate myself from a sob story like this. Well, most importantly, let's not forget, I am voluntarily unemployed! Thats right, I chose this career path (or lack there of) and I've got to stay positive or I will get sucked in! This brought me back to some advice I received a couple weeks ago...don't get in a rut, don't get sucked in. Point taken!

On the same note, I got an email from a college buddy yesterday, asking how I've been and also asking for my address. We know what this means...must be a wedding invitation coming! Thank God that is one issue I do not have to deal with during these trying times! Anyway, I emailed him back said things are well, left the job a couple weeks ago, blah blah. He replied back, "Good luck. Job market's a little tough right now." Thank you, Sherlock.

What do these anecdotes teach us? Well, for one, I seriously have to take bad news and naysayers with a grain of salt. As former Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino once lamented, "The negativity in this town sucks!" Needless to say Pitino was out of job soon after.

Hence the title of this post. It is imperative I stay in a positive mental state. That is why I'm not jumping immediately into the "hunt". Free your mind, and the rest will follow. Bonus points to any of my legions of followers who can post the origin of that phrase in the comments section.

And finally a follow up to last week's "Twist of Fate" story. Received an email yesterday from Jack, the gentleman I ran into in the jacuzzi in the mountains. "Received the book of lists...thank you and be in touch soon..."

So I got that going for me. Which is nice.