Unemployed? How to Keep Up Your Motivation During the Dreary Winter Months

Let's face it. This year winter seems like it will never end, and if you're unemployed, it can be hard to keep up your motivation. So, here are some tips to get you through the doldrums of winter:

1. Take care of yourself: eat healthy, drink plenty of water, get a good night's rest, etc. This is common sense, but these basic needs are the foundation of everything.

2. Exercise. Part of taking care of yourself is exercise. Even if you don't like exercising, just take 10 minutes (three times a day) and incorporate some type of exercise (jumping jacks, sit ups, push ups, whatever). Or, try other ways to exercise. For example, when you drive to a store, park at the end of the parking lot so you have further to walk. Go out to a mall and do some walking. There are many different ways to exercise, so, even if exercising is something you dislike doing, just integrate a little into each day. It will boost your mood and increase your motivation.

3. Stay scheduled. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. (Note: before you go to bed, create a to-do list for the next day. It will help keep you on track.) After you get up in the mornings, shower and get dressed as if you were going to work.

4.  Network. It's important to have contact with people every day. Maybe email a former colleague, meet someone for coffee, or telephone someone. Do you know someone else unemployed? Be each others' job search buddy. Talk once a week and discuss your goals, progress, or problems that may have arisen. Are you part of a local organization? If not, find someone who is and ask if you can tag along with them to their next meeting. Try find a job seeking group in your community and attend this. 

5. Get out of the house. You can easily accomplish this each day if you exercise outside your home or if you attend a networking event or meet someone for coffee. But, if you exercise in the comforts of your home or if you network via phone or email, then it's important you make an effort to get out. For example, go to a coffee shop where you can see other people, and conduct some job search activities there.

6.  Volunteer. Volunteering will not only get you out of the house, but by doing so, you will be helping others -- which can be very rewarding. Volunteering is also a great way to network with others and maybe even learn new skills! (Don't forget to add the new volunteer experiences to your resume!)

7. Learn something new. Take a free class online. Enroll in course through your community. Learn something new by watching a YouTube video. Research a new topic on the Internet. 

8.  Do something you enjoy. Do you like movies? Do you like to read? Do you have a hobby? Whatever you enjoy doing, carve out some time each day to do what you like.

9. Subscribe to receive some daily emails on motivation, inspiration, etc. If you're on Twitter, follow these types of Twitter feeds. Create a list of your favorite ones, and read them every day.

10. Celebrate achievements. The achievement can be big or small, and it doesn't have to be job-search related. Maybe you just completed a project around the house or maybe you just landed an interview. Whatever the success, reward yourself with something. It can be as small as a piece of chocolate or it can be something bigger. 

There are many different ways to overcome the dreary winter months, but hopefully some of these tips will help you stay motivated!