Ending the Addiction to Work

There are many people who should end their addiction to work because jobs are hard to find.  This statement may sound crazy, but it is definitely true.   We were all raised, groomed, and taught that a job was the key to our collective success.  From the time that you obtained that first job, the underlying theme of our existance depended on whether we got a job and then a better one.  When you encounter new people, the question arises, “what do you do?”   That question, of course, is a test of your worthiness to be in the company of those who are doing it right.  Before the economy got so bad, no responsible adult wanted to admit that they were jobless.   Admitting to being jobless, was equal to being a loser.   Now that they economy is in such dire straits, being jobless is not the stigma that it once was.  After all, many upstanding citizens are out of work which makes it okay for the rest of us to be in that boat.   However, the irony of the situation is that no matter how many resumes are sent out, or how many applicants line up for one  job opening, we continue to put our hopes in finding a job.  Even those with bad credit, felony records, over age 50 and without job skills refuse to give up their search.  While persistence is an admirable quality, it is counter-productive, in my opinion, to look for work for two  years with no good results.    This is where the addiction comes in.  It has been pounded into our minds.  You have to have a job.  Keep looking high and low until you find one.  In good times it did not take so long to find a job if you had skills and performed a decent search.   Now the employers have the upper hand.  They can weed out any category of applicants that they choose to.  This leaves many people excluded from realizing the so-called ideal life that they desire.

I think that we have to end this addiction to work and look within to see what can be done to create our own income.  Even the government must see that having millions of people looking for jobs that do not exist is just plain dumb.  While politicians sit in their fancy meetings discussing the state of the economy, the unemployed are watch as their lives fall apart.  How long can you surive with no income?   Seriously think of a difference solution to income if a job is not in your immediate future.  The world as we knew it has changed.  In order to survive, each one of us must change and adapt to those changes.   By thinking of ways to earn money without a job, you will be on your way to ending the addiction to work.

 

From Resume to New Job?

In an ideal situation submitting your resume should result in a new job.  However, these days are not always ideal for many people. I have recently met some wonderful people desparately looking for work.  One person, in particular, was facing the end of her public assistance benefits.  She had taken a volunteer position with the hopes of being offered a permanent postion.  It was such a heartbreaking story knowing that this very capable person had to pack up her things and go home.  She left with the hope of finding a position before her financial situation spun out of control.  In my mind,  I have often thought of what actually happens to those who do not find work before they become homeless, or worse.   Now that I have a face to put with those thoughts,  I am outraged at what can happen to any one of us.  If you do not have contacts that can hook you up with a job, too bad.  Companies are coming up with all kinds of reasons for not hiring a particular applicant.  Whether you have been off too long, have bad credit, cannot supply references, lack skills or are over 45, a company can reject you even if you can do the job.  While you are only a resume on someone’s desk, it is your life on that desk.  However, a company is not considering all that a rejected resume represents.   They are merely looking at their own bottom line.

Just what is the answer to such a dire situation?  What about the many, many people that are in the exact same position of the person that I met?  Did you notice that we do not hear much from the people so affected?  I think it is because they are too busy trying to survive by whatever means that they can.  If you have never been in a situation where your day to day existence is in question, you have no idea of how hard it can be.   I think eventually we may have some sort of federal job program due to the large numbers of unemployed workers.  When large corporations begin to see a drop in their profits, the government will react.  After all, if people do not have money, how can they buy the goods and services that keep our economy going?   Also, I think that there are many people who will never again be employed.   Due to their lack of appeal to employers, they will not be considered by some companies.  Some of these people could be helped to start a small business to help them survive.  Sadly, I have not heard of any talk of such a plan because helping people on the bottom in such a way is not that popular.    If a resume does not result in a new job for many, we need a better way to get people back on their feet.

Screaming About the Economy

I, for one, have been too nice about state of our economy. I have calmly listened to the statistics and forecasts reported by the media and experts in the know.  All of this reporting is like someone standing in the town square and reading a list of the dead and dying while those poor souls fall down around the reader.  The statistics and forecast consist of real people who need help.  What can be done about all of the people who need to get back to work?  Do any of the experts actually know some of the people that they report about?   I feel like going outside and screaming, “Where are the jobs?”   When are we going to see a change?   Can the government do anything?   In reality my screaming would not help the unemployed, but we need to come up with something that would help.  My little contribution to this mess is to suggest that people consider self-employment as a solution to their situation.   Even though working for yourself could be a viable option for some, jobless people have a different set of problems that, without support, could prevent them from starting a business.  Before someone can go down the entrepreneurial highway, they need some stability which not synomous with unemployment.

 

Empowerment

After speaking with a friend today, we questioned why no one is doing more to empower those  that are struggling to survive.   I understood that a  person’s situation has to be stabilized before he/she can work on improving other aspects of their lives.  The problem that I see all too often is that the people needing help are not being informed on  how to move to the next level.  In my city we have so many organizations that help people with the basics, but where is the help to actually make more meaningful changes in their lives?  I heard a talk show ask whether the poor can be shown how to escape their situation.  I think that it is very ironic that people in Third World countries are assisted in opening their own businesses.  Why can’t this be duplicated in the US?  Not everyone wishes to start a business, but if they do, help should be available.  I have personally witnessed social service clients being forced to find and take minimum wage jobs.  Those kinds of jobs are okay in the present, but for future advancement, a plan must be in place so that people can  advance.   Additional training or  becoming small business owners could assist in advancing people’s situations.  Without these kinds of options, many poor people will never move up the economic ladder. What a great way to empower people.

A Job = A Lifeline

Why More People Have to Consider Self-Employment
More talk needs to be done about alternatives for those out of work. While a short term goal is to get by, longer term goals have to be more ambitious. A legitimate source of income is needed in order to get ahead or to even maintain your lifestyle. This source of income may include a job, a business, government assistance, social security or a pension. Did I forget anything? Each person can look over this list and eliminate any items that do not apply. For instance a 47 year old, in good health with no children is in a certain category. Government assistance (in some states), social security, or a pension does not apply. The job option would be the normal answer for this person. But what happens when no job is available? Self-employment may be a viable option if the lack of capital can be overcome. However, not everyone desires to own a business. Can the government do anything in situations like this? Are there enough homeless shelters for those in need? Is that truly a solution for members of our society?
A source of income should be guaranteed for all willing to work. Is that too much to ask?

How Many Are Still Waiting?

Some companies are supposedly beginning to hire workers, but not enough hiring is going on to make a dent in the massive unemployment numbers.  While unemployed, it is a challenge to think outside of the box, it must be done.  Basic needs of people is the number one priority of anyone struggling.  A job can, of course, do a lot of good to provide those basic needs for a familly.  As more times goes by, companies are thinking of unique ways to weed out applicants.  One way is by not hiring those with undesirable credit.  If you have been out of work for more thana few weeks, your credit is going to be “bad”.   As long as many people are still waiting for a job; as long as most people have no idea of the numbers of people needing work, no one is really taking unemployment seriously.  If anything, some entities (oil companies, utilities,  all levels of government) are coming up with more ways to get more money from the few who have income.  For example, gas prices are increasing, utilities want rate hikes, and local government want more taxes/and or fees from their citizens.  From where are people supposed to get these additional funds?  Like a senior citizens said to me yesterday, the answer is for individuals to increse their personal incomes.  Good luck with that.  Are you still waiting?

Keeping it together

Many people have been traumatized by their economic situation.  Foreclosures and lack of employment effects many.  The challenge is to keep it together until your situation improves.   If we can think of ways to survive in the meantime, we can help each other.   Having the strength to make your own money can be done, but your creativity can be crushed by day to day difficulties.   I feel that the answer is to get support and encouragement from those close to you so that no one feels alone.    If you know someone who is struggling, be there for them even if you are experiencing hard times yourself.

Stay Focused

If you are attempting to start a business venture, be sure that you network or associate with those who understand what you are doing. If you do not, the people around you may try and discourage you, which could interfere with your progress. Many times those same people do not have faith in what you are doing. They may refuse to respect what you are doing. Sometimes, they may even ask you why you do not get a regular job. My answer to dealing with such negative behavior is to remember what your goals are. Seek out others who share your creativity and who also have the courage to follow their dreams

Time flies.

Summer is over and soon we will be celebrating the arrival of a new year. For many people, it will be business as usual because nothing has changed in their lives. In order to make something positive happen, it is necessary to do something that you have been putting off for a long time. Many of us are guilty of such actions and this is a good way to waste your whole life. Make a short term goal, give yourself a deadline and follow through. Otherwise, you will look back on your life and wonder where the time went.

Time for solutions

I have much to say about the pitfalls of being unemployed due to my personal experiences.  I am not done commenting about how having a job can affect one’s life.  But as of this week, June 8, 2009, my handbook on finding a job is available on my personal website, therhondagreer.com.  In addition to talking about my experiences being unemployed, part 2, includes 101 ideas of businesses to start with little or no money.  Considering the fact that I never claimed to be a writer, I wanted to pass on some information about what I felt would work for the average person.  After all, I call myself ” the woman next door”.  I could be anyone’s neighbor.  Not a prominent, well known person just your neighbor who can relate to hard times.   This book was completed in 2008, before the current economic crisis began.   The name of my newly released ebook is Thinking Outside of the Unemployment Box.