5 Ways to Prepare Your Career for the New Year (Decade)

As we draw the year to a close many of us are looking forward to some well-deserved time off to relax, eating some good food, seeing a movie or two, and spending time with family.

But the holiday break also affords us an opportunity to spend some time thinking about our job and career and what actions we might take to enjoy our work more and become more successful in our career over the coming year.

Here are five things you might do over the holiday break to prepare for the new year and to set yourself up for success in the coming decade.

Sign up for a class. There are so many opportunities to enhance your skills and deepen your knowledge in areas that can positively impact your career, from online courses and webinars to conferences and classes at a community college. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to find an impactful class, but you need to start somewhere.

Seek out a mentor. Take a few moments to identify someone you’ve been wanting to learn from. You likely already have this person in your circle of contacts but, perhaps, you haven’t let them know you wanted a more formal mentorship. Now is a good time to ask.

Add a good habit. You know you need to eat better, sleep more, and get some physical exercise in but it can be overwhelming to consider everything you could change in your life so make a plan to make one change. Maybe it’s a simply as avoiding a drink tonight or going to sleep at a reasonable time. Start with one day and then make it two days and then three. That is how we change to begin to make good decisions. These decisions will lead to better decisions and impact your life and career for the better.

Consider your thoughts. We are what we think about and it’s important in every area of our lives, and in our career, to think thoughts that move us forward, rather than negative thoughts that bring us and others around us down. Avoid thoughts that blame others or dwell on past failures or mistakes. Add a practice of meditation, yoga, or prayer to your life to slow down and allow you to more effectively evaluate your self-talk.

Schedule a vacation. Yes, though you might enjoy a break over the holidays take some time to plan your next vacation before you dive back into the stress of your working life. Having a vacation planned will also give you sometime to look forward to and you’ll know that there is a reward coming for all the hard work you do.

Do even some of these things over the holidays and you’ll be set up for a more successful new year at work.  

5 Ways to Recognize Success in Your Career

Success at work is not merely a matter of promotions and increased salary, though being accessible to our jobs 24-7 often makes it difficult to step back and evaluate success in any other way. But career success can be assessed in various ways.

Here are five ways to view your career success without considering your salary as the primary factor.

Added Responsibility. When you’ve gained the trust of your company and supervisor and have been handed additional responsibilities, such as new tasks or projects, managing an important account, or overseeing the work of others, you know you’ve attained a degree of success. You would not be provided these responsibilities without attaining the trust of your company, and your company’s trust in you is a strong indicator of your level of success.

Growing Network. In a successful career your network of contacts and colleagues expands, grows, and deepens regularly through networking events, working closely with colleagues and customers, and attending workshops and conferences.

Balance. You can view success through the lens of the balance you experience between your career and your personal life. This does not mean you never feel stressed, nor that you don’t take work home with you but that you are able to set aside your job when you need to recharge and are able to enjoy your family life and hobbies.

Job satisfaction. A strong indicator of your success is your satisfaction at work and people tend to be satisfied in their job when they are able to use their strengths, skills, and interests to do meaningful work that provides a positive benefit to society.

Learning Opportunities. No one likes to be stagnant in their job and career, and successful careers enable you to constantly learn and grow in your profession through continuing education, trainings, workshops, and on-the-job experience.

When you are successful in your job and career in these areas you will often discover that you are satisfied with the financial aspects of your career, too.

Add These 5 Habits for Lifelong Career Success

It’s never too late (or too early) in your career to instill good habits into your work routine, and there are some basic habits for success that apply to any job or work environment you might encounter in your career.

Here are five habits to will help you build a track record of success in your life and career.

Focused, hard work. If you don’t have a practice of working hard, you’ll have a difficult time finding career success. Hard work should be the cornerstone of your work habits and should, obviously, be a given. But you can also work hard on the wrong things and it’s important to develop the ability to focus on a single task rather than allowing the distraction of multitasking.

Continuous learning. Regardless of the position you’re in, there is always room to learn more and to expand your knowledge, deepen your skill set, and expand your tool kit of expertise. This requires an attitude of humility and a commitment to seek out opportunities to learn more about your job and industry.

Positive approach. Taking a positive approach to your life by developing a habit of positive thinking and seeking out the best in others and every situation will enable you to create more success in your life and career. Others will want to work with you, and you’ll instill a sense of trust in your relationships that will build an effective and lasting network.

Seek out mentors. Successful people realize that they can not do it alone and they seek out mentors and others who they can learn from and who can be a support system along the way. Strong and successful individuals have a strong system of support, starting with a mentor who has their best interests at heart and isn’t afraid to be honest.

Attention to purpose. Lifelong career success comes from developing a clear sense of your purpose and seeking out work opportunities that fulfill that purpose. Successful people are not driven by the accumulation of wealth but seek to serve others through their skills, interests, and knowledge, and want to make a difference in the world.

Work to cultivate these habits in your work and life and you’ll be closer to having the successful career you want.

5 Things to Do While You Await a Job Offer

After you have a job interview or two the time between the interview and hearing back from the company on a decision can feel excruciatingly long. It can be easy to fall into despair or to be tempted to seek out updates on your application.

Instead of using this time to worry or think about all the things you wish you’d said differently in the interview, focus on the following things to manage the time while you await word back from the interviewer.

Be patient. This can be difficult but resist attempts to contact the interviewer or employer about your application status. Many companies will disregard your application or remove you from consideration if they feel they are being rushed in their decision. Cultivate gratitude for the opportunity to interview for the position and identify some things you might have learned from the process about the company or supervisor that can help you in future interviews or deepen your knowledge of the position should you be offered the job.

Take care of yourself. Don’t sit around the house waiting for the phone to ring. Be active. Take that run or get on your bike. Walk the dog. Eat well, get enough sleep, and avoid excessive alcohol. Meditate or pray. Meet up with a good friend for lunch. See a movie. Do things you enjoy and that are healthy for you and avoid the temptation to become discouraged while you await that phone call or email.

Take a class or sign up for an online course. Continue to develop your knowledge and gain more skills in an area of interest, or simply add a new hobby by signing up for a class or taking an online course. Strive to be a continuous learner and you will find more opportunities available to you. You might even meet someone in a class who is looking to hire someone like you. 

Polish up your resume. Revisit your resume and make any necessary tweaks to highlight your strengths and areas of success. Add information about that class or course you’re taking. Ask for feedback on it from a friend, colleague, or career coach.

Actively seek out other job opportunities. Continue to seek out other opportunities by keeping your eye on job boards and listings such as those on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Indeed. You never know when the right opportunity will come along so plan to regularly seek out jobs of interest and attend events where you can expand your network and learn about opportunities.

Incorporating these strategies will enable you to manage the time while you await a job offer more appropriately and productively.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Landing a Job After a Parenting Gap

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• Landing a Job after a Parenting Gap: "As much as you may want to believe that quitting your job to parent won’t affect your career long term, the unfortunate reality is that landing a job after a gap can be a challenge."

• How to Keep Learning: "Remember that learning new things isn’t always about getting a raise or earning a promotion. Learning in all forms is inherently beneficial."

• How to Redesign Your Workspace to Be More Productive: "The second step for improving productivity is paying attention to how the environment affects your comfort level. People perform a lot better when they’re comfortable, and several elements have an impact."

• How to Plan Your Own Networking Event: "if you’re interested in organizing your own networking gathering, here are five strategies you can use to curate your attendees and bring a fascinating mix of people together."
• 10 Secrets to Finding a Job You Love:"If you don’t know what you want to do, try as many experiences as possible. Don’t play it safe; do things that make you uncomfortable."

Signs from Your Company That It's Time to Look for a New Job

If you work at a company or business, large or small, you might be getting some signals that its time to look for another job.

You don’t want to ignore these signs, or you might find yourself as part of the next round of layoffs.

Notice the following indicators in your company and it will be time to ready your resume and strongly consider moving on.

The company fails to meet its financial goals, loses money, or loses market share. When your company is not competitive in the marketplace over a period of time there will be difficult decisions to make. Often those hard decisions include a reduction in work force. No one wants to be on a sinking ship. This is a signifier that you should consider looking toward one of your competitors that is succeeding in your industry.

The company lays off staff and does not replace them. A company that reduces its staff frequently and does not replace them is likely in a difficult financial situation and is trying to save money. A company that is cutting costs and reducing staff is often a stressful place to work and the company may not be able to provide you with stable employment and clear ways to develop your career.

The company no longer provides you with an opportunity to advance. Perhaps you’ve hit the wall and there is no way to move forward in your company. This can happen in a small company with a boss that intends to remain long term or maybe you’re in an industry that prefers frequent turnover rather than offering opportunity for slow and steady promotion. If you want to move up in your company, develop new skills, and advance in your career you may need to consider a new employer to acquire the skills you desire.  

The company offers no training, nor does it provide support or funding for continued learning. When your employer does not value your knowledge and skills enough to invest in them with additional training you will need to consider a new position or watch your skills stagnate. Change is constant in business today and you need to have opportunities to continually upgrade your skills and knowledge.

When your company is sending you signals that its future is unclear you might want to take the time to update your resume and LinkedIn profile, deepen your network, and keep your eyes and ears open for another opportunity.

6 Ways to Learn More to Advance Your Career

It is difficult to keep up with the pace of change. Technology becomes more advanced daily. In order to be effective and successful in our careers we need to humbly seek to increase our understanding, learning more about our chosen field, and increasing our knowledge about the world and other cultures.

Consider the following strategies to help you learn more this year and be more effective in your career.

Be a discerning reader (and listener). Many of us get lost in the world of Facebook or Twitter without getting much beyond celebrity gossip, irritating trolls, or cute puppy videos. Instead, make an effort to limit your time on social media and grab a high-quality magazine, such as the New Yorker or Monocle. Make a practice of reading good books that bring you into unfamiliar (and uncomfortable) territory.

The same applies to your listening habits. Download a great podcast or audiobook and listen in on your commute, rather than sports radio or a vapid talk show.

Seek out a mentor. Find your Jedi Master or, at least, someone who is smart and knowledgeable in your field and learn what you can from them. People are more generous than you might think and are often eager to share with others the lessons they have learned. Be bold, take the initiative, and invite a would-be mentor out to lunch today. 

Ask for feedback from your boss. You might be one of those who tries to avoid his or her boss. This might be a common strategy, but it won’t aid your career. What you want, and need, is straightforward and honest feedback from your manager. This will enable you to understand your blind spots and weaknesses and become a more effective employee.

Watch intentionally. Don’t come home from work and mindlessly turn on the television. Watch with a purpose. Take a look at that documentary you’ve queued up on Netflix, or check out the new series on PBS. Or put aside the screens and grab a good book.

Take a class. Yes, this is an obvious one but should not be overlooked. You don’t need to spend a lot of money (or any at all), nor do you need to make a six-week commitment. Many classes are free—at your library, community center, church, or online—and require no more than an evening of your time or a few hours on a Saturday morning. You have many options and taking advantage of them can provide great benefits to your career.

Teach what you’re learning. One of the best ways to truly learn a subject is to teach it. Share what you’ve learned by providing a brief workshop at your place of employment or train your teammates
in a special team meeting. This will reinforce what you’ve learned and make it more real to you.

Commit to learning more this year by implementing these strategies and you’ll likely experience more success at work and at home.

Five Career Goals to Set in 2018

With the new year approaching, now is a good time to reflect on the past year and set goals for your career that will propel you closer to doing the work you love.

Feel free to take the five goals below as yours or use them for inspiration to come up with your own.

Utilize company resources more effectively. The benefits your company provides are there for your … yes, benefit. Use them. Are you taking advantage of the 401k plan or health savings account offered? If not, do so. Use all your vacation time next year. If your company allows you to work at home occasionally, try it out. Do you have a training allowance? Sign up for a course right now. Why spend money at the coffee shop on the way to work when your company provides free coffee in the lounge? Perhaps your company arranges carpooling opportunities for employees? Consider how your companies benefits and resources can enhance your work life next year.

Create a personal advisory board. Instead of looking for a single mentor develop a strategic group of advisers to meet with periodically to gain feedback from on your career and its direction. This group can be comprised of mentors, former bosses and college instructors, along with successful entrepreneurs and individuals in related fields. Meet with your advisers at least quarterly and plan to do so in person. They can help you identify areas to improve your career and introduce you to important people in their networks.

Take a class to learn a new skill. The world is changing quickly and its important to stay up on the latest trends and knowledge in your field. If your company offers regular training sessions for its employees be sure to take advantage of that, or sign up for a relevant online course or class at a local university or community college.

Attend the annual conference of an association in your area of work. Nearly every job or career path has a membership association for individuals in that field and these associations often present an annual conference. Attend this year. Conferences provide excellent opportunities to gain a new skill, increase knowledge about your area of work, meet new people and extend your network, and often provide a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm for attendees.

Make time for something you love. Be sure you have time in your life and schedule for that hobby or side project you love: woodworking, photography, writing, or scrap-booking? Who knows … next year might be the year to turn your passion project into a side hustle and make some additional money with it.

Take a few moments in the next week to reflect on the past year and set your course for the new year ahead by setting three to five goals.

The Mid-Year Career Tune-up

It's June and the year is nearly half over, so where are you at with your career goals and objectives for the year? This is a good time to pause and reflect on your career and evaluate if you're at the place you want to be.

Consider the following three areas and make corrections and adjustments as needed so you can move forward successfully.

Continued Learning. It is incredibly important, both to your job satisfaction and to your future career success, for you to have continued opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Take a look at what you've done so far this year, along with the skills you've developed, and consider if there are some training sessions or a conference you can attend sometime in the next few months. If your employer offers free training or provides reimbursement for classes take advantage of these perks. Sign up today.

Network Building. Throughout the year you want to continue to develop your network in several ways, including through social sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Be sure to keep your LinkedIn profile updated with new skills and responsibilities. In addition, if you're not currently working with a mentor seek one out. You can likely find a good mentor at your workplace or through your network of contacts. A good mentor will also introduce you to others and help expand your network. Finally, find a networking group in your community you can begin attending or register for a conference. Conferences are great places to meet great people doing cool and exciting things in your field and some of these people can become mentors and future collaborators.

Healthy lifestyle. It's difficult to be at your best in your career if you're not getting enough sleep, or if you're eating unhealthy food and drinking too much. Take a look at your habits and determine if you need to build more activity into your schedule. Perhaps you live close enough to bike into work a few days a week. Or join the yoga class at the office. Maybe starting your day with a few minutes of stretching and mindful meditation can get you more focused on developing a more healthy lifestyle that will benefit you and your career.

4 Ways to Take Your Career from Good to Great

It can be easy to coast in a job or feel stuck in our careers but if we want to take our career from good to great it will require action.

However, it might be easier than you think to move your career toward greatness. Implement the following four simple tips and your job and career prospects will be soaring above average.

Get organized. Put the power of technology to work for you to organize your email and other electronic files you use. Develop a system to handle any paper and hard copy documents that pass through your hands, and utilize any effective strategies to reduce waste or eliminate attention spent on time-sucking and energy-draining activities. The more organized you are the more effective you'll be in your work and the more you'll enjoy it, too.

Get positive. Your attitude goes a long way toward determining your success in life and in your career. And the good news? You can largely control your attitude and response to life's curve balls. A positive attitude also increases your energy level and makes you more attractive to your boss and other potential employers. One way to be more positive is to start your day with some exercise and meditation. Even a brief practice of 20-30 minutes can be highly beneficial.

Get a mentor. You can't do this alone and succeed without the support of others. Seek out a supportive mentor who can provide honest feedback and guidance. And meet regularly with your mentor in order to move forward in your life and career, and avoid settling into mediocrity.

Get curious and learn as much as you can. People who attain greatness want to know as much as they can and never stop trying to better themselves. They continually learn new things and seek out unique experiences. A curiosity about the world, other people, and new technology will help you get out of a rut, avoid average, and move your life and career from good to great.

5 Reasons to be Grateful for Your Job

A daily practice of gratitude has been shown to improve your mood, among its many other benefits and there is no better time than the Thanksgiving holiday to begin showing a little gratitude for your job.

Not sure where to start? Try these five reasons to be grateful for your work situation.

1. The job itself. You might simply start by feeling thankful that you even have a job. There are many people out there looking for work, or are soon-to-be graduates anxiously anticipating the job search. You don't have to live with this daily anxiety and have a reason for getting up every morning.

2. Your boss. Yep, your supervisor, whether you like him or her or not, provides you with support in your job or offers you opportunities to grow by being difficult to work with. Either way, your boss provides you with a reason to be grateful.

3. Your co-workers. You likely have some friends and supportive colleagues at work and they are often the reason we enjoy going in each day. Take a moment to appreciate them and even to let them know how grateful you are for their support.

4. Opportunities to learn. Your job provides you with opportunities to learn something new. Sometimes you learn a new skill, sometimes you learn patience, sometimes you learn how to deal with a difficult co-worker, or sometimes you learn how to use new technology or a new program.

5. Opportunities to use your strengths. It's likely you were hired for your job because you have the skills and abilities required. This provides an opportunity to be grateful for the opportunity to apply your strengths to accomplish something worthwhile.

You might also find yourself grateful for a short commute, or a long commute (affording you the time to get something else done), or you are grateful for opportunities to make a difference in the world and in the lives of others.

If you really think about it you'll likely find many reasons to be grateful for your job.

Happy Thanksgiving!

5 Things to Do When You're Unemployed

There can be nothing more discouraging and disheartening than long periods of unemployment and it can be easy to sink into a malaise and do very little. Before you know it, months have passed and you've made little progress toward obtaining a new job.

Below are five things you can do to make the time during your unemployment more profitable for you in the long run.

1. Get clear about your strengths. Develop a focused understanding about what your strengths and skills are. Be able to concisely state what it is you would bring to an employer. If you're not sure, speak with an employment counselor or read some work by Marcus Buckingham to help you assess your strengths.

2. Stay social. It can be tempting to withdraw and isolate from others during a time of prolonged unemployment but be sure to maintain your friendships and attend social gatherings. Your friends can help you stay motivated, and can even provide leads to job opportunities.

3. Learn something new. You might not be able to afford to take a class while you're unemployed but there are many free classes available online, or through your local library. Speaking of libraries, reading a book can be a great way to acquire some new knowledge or understanding.

4. Set a schedule. Live as if you were working. Don't allow yourself to simply sleep in and watch TV throughout the day. Set an alarm and get up at a reasonable time, get in some movement or exercise, and plan some time for job searching or career development every day.

5. Stay positive. Finally, work at remaining positive. You can do this through a daily meditation practice and by surrounding yourself with uplifting media, messages, and friends throughout the day. An optimistic attitude will help you negotiate the difficulties of an extended period of unemployment.

5 Great Podcasts to Boost Your Career and Life

In last week's post we shared four tips to renew your passion for work. The basic point was to look at things in a different way and one of the tips to do this was to check out a new podcast.

There are so many excellent podcasts out there and it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That's where this post comes in.

Below find five great podcasts to help you see things in a new way, therefore helping provide you with a boost and spark to your life and career:

1. The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes: "The goal of the School of Greatness is to share inspiring stories from the most brilliant business minds, world class athletes, and influential celebrities on the planet; to help you find out what makes great people great."

2. Building a Story Brand with Donald Miller: "Through his company StoryBrand, Donald Miller has helped over a thousand businesses, non-profits and personal brands clarify their message to create better websites, email blasts and marketing material."

3. Snap Judgment hosted by Glynn Washington: "Mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic, kick-ass radio. Snap's raw, musical blend of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another."

4. The Tim Ferriss Show: Ferris "deconstructs world-class performers from eclectic areas (investing, sports, business, art, etc.) to extract the tactics, tools, and routines you can use. This includes favorite books, morning routines, exercise habits, time-management tricks, and much more." 

5. TED Radio Hour hosted by Guy Raz: "A journey through fascinating ideas: astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, new ways to think and create. Based on Talks given by riveting speakers on the world-renowned TED stage, each show is centered on a common theme."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 4 Resume Tips for Career Changers

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 4 Resume Tips for Career Changers: "We call these 'transferable skills' – a term that refers to the skills you've obtained and used in your existing experience and which you would also be able to leverage in your new career."
• Reboot Your Heart and Mind: "The question of how to achieve continual improvement in one’s career and with one’s team should be front and center for every serious adult."
• 6 Inspiring Commencement Speeches: "What I wish for all of you—the bad as well as the good. Fall down. Make a mess. Break something occasionally. Know that your mistakes are your own unique way of getting to where you need to be."
• 50 Thoughts That Can Motivate You to Do Anything: "The next time you feel unmotivated, use any of these 50 positive thoughts to reenergize yourself. Really: They work!"
• These are the Best Places to Work for New Fathers: "Millennials have been more vocal in demanding to be part of their children’s first months, and the industry has responded with extended benefits in order to attract these hires."

4 Career Resolutions to Make for 2016

As we approach the start of the new year it is a time to evaluate 2015 and consider how to move forward in 2016. Of course your goals and resolutions should take your job and career into consideration.

Here are four career resolutions you should make for 2016:

1. Take a class to learn a new skill. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs or offer some funds to pay for training classes. Consider learning a new language or a new skill, such as coding or social media marketing.

2. Find a mentor. One of the most important things you can do for your career is find a mentor. Identify a few candidates, at your current company or in your community, who have attained some success in an area of particular interest to you and contact one or two.

3. Attend a conference. When you attend a conference it does at least three positive things for your career: a) it provides you with new skills and knowledge, b) it recharges your batteries, reduces stress, and increases your enthusiasm and energy for your work, and c) it provides opportunities to meet new and interesting people and to expand your network.

4. Take care of yourself. Make an extra point of scheduling and getting adequate sleep every night, eating foods that energize you, and being active and avoiding a sedentary life that can come with working in an office.

Make these four resolutions, or better yet, take on and implement these four resolutions and you're likely to have a great 2016.

5 Steps to Evaluate Your Career Over the Holidays

Over the last several weeks we've discussed some things you can do to enhance your career and your network over the holidays. Today, we'll think about the current state of your career and job and take some time to evaluate where you stand.

Here are five things to consider:

1. Are you learning? Do you have opportunities to learn new skills and develop the ones you have? You'll enjoy your career much more if you're not bored and have the chance to branch out and learn more.

2. Are you developing relationships? Very few of us have no need to interact with others on the job and so it's important that we're developing effective and productive working relationships. Our job is often a place to develop new friendships, as well as expand our our network.

3. Do you have opportunities for advancement? Work can feel frustrating if we seem trapped in our current job and have no opportunities to advance or to move into other more challenging roles.

4. How do you feel on Sunday night? When you're thinking about going to work on Monday morning how do you feel? Do you feel stressed out or are you dreading going into work? If you look forward to the challenges awaiting you that is a good sign that you're in a good place.

5. Are you applying your strengths? You'll enjoy your work much more when you are able to apply your strength and skills, those things you do well, to your job. If you're unable to utilize your strengths at work it is probably a good indication that you're in the wrong position.

Regaining Your Confidence After a Career Setback

Everyone has disappointments and setbacks in their career, from that promotion or raise you didn't get to getting fired or laid off.

Sometimes that setback can impact your confidence and leave you struggling to regain it.

Here are 5 steps you can take to get your confidence back after a career setback.

1. Small victories. Set some small, immediate, and attainable goals in order to restore your confidence in your abilities. Sometimes simply the process of setting a small goal and attaining it is enough to set one back on the path to larger goals.

2. Focus on strengths. You have specific skills and areas of strengths. Try to focus your energies on activities that utilize these strengths and build confidence.

3. Surround yourself with support. Find those around you--family, friends, coworkers--who believe in you and your abilities. Their belief in your skills and strengths can speed your recovery from a setback.

4. Find a mentor. Seek out another expert in your field to serve as a mentor and to guide you through this time. Your mentor can assist you in making the best decisions for your career as you move forward.

5. Learn something new. Take some time to learn a new skill or take a class. Experiencing some success in a class and adding to your skill set can provide the confidence to move ahead in other areas of your life and career.

Implement these 5 steps following a career setback and you'll be back on your feet and headed to new successes.

5 Tips to Stay Motivated During Your Job Search

When you are between jobs it can be difficult to stay positive and focused on the job search, especially if you are regularly applying for jobs and seeing very little results.

Consider implementing some of the following tips to help you stay motivated throughout your job search:

1. Eat well. To remain motivated and positive about your job search it's important to eat foods that promote well-being, strength, and energy. Avoid too much alcohol and foods with a lot of sugar.

2. Exercise regularly. Staying (or getting) in shape with regular exercise will give you the energy you need to attack those daily tasks necessary to the job search.

3. Get enough sleep. In addition to regular exercise and healthy eating habits, getting enough sleep each night provides the daily rest and recharge needed to successfully find new work opportunities.

4. Learn something new every day. Schedule at least 15-30 minutes every day to learn something .

new or enhance your existing skills.You can learn a new language or explore the many opportunities through MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).

5. Connect with one person every day. Looking for a job can be a lonely and isolating experience. Take some time each day to interact with a friend or meet someone new. You can do this through Facebook or Linkedin but don't underestimate the benefits of meeting someone new in person at the library, the local coffee shop, or even at a planned networking event.

What do you do to stay motivated?

For more check out this list of 20 ways to stay motivated during your job search.

Ways to Win at Work

To be successful and “win at work” typically requires a consistent combination of positive actions, behaviors, and overall mindset. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, consider the following when establishing a path to career success.
Traits that Lead to Success
Just because people who are hard-working, ambitious, and self-motivated are often thought to come by these character traits naturally doesn’t mean others can’t develop similar traits. One way to do so is by observing those behaviors in others and then modeling them. To succeed, you must be diligent, motivated, and committed to doing your very best work. Note though, that success can be defined many different ways. For some it is position and salary and for others it is a sense of pride and satisfaction in a job well done.
Do Every Task Well
Every task you’re responsible for should be done well—even the menial ones. Much of your professional reputation will be based on the quality of your work. To complete tasks well and on time, be sure to manage your time, prioritize the tasks, and use strategies that work for you. For example, some prefer to complete the most difficult task first, while others, who are motivated by progress, begin by finishing several smaller tasks first.
Accept Change and Challenges
You will most certainly encounter change and challenges in your work, probably more often than you may have anticipated. Companies expect employees to adapt quickly to change and work through challenges. The pace of business, technology, and a global economy is rapid, so it is important to stay abreast of and flexible about the changes that impact you on a micro and macro level.
Continue Learning
There should never be a point in your career or life when you stop learning—even if it’s learning from your mistakes. Learning fosters new skills and knowledge that will help you remain relevant and develop professionally and personally.