In the first of what I hope becomes a long-running tradition at the Unemployment Line, I want to address a question that has been asked of me, and that is, “why a blog?” Yes, blogs are a dime a dozen, and no, I did not believe that this would directly lead to my next job. The main reason for the blog is more personal than public, self-fulfilling than celebrity-seeking.
A familiar scene, hard at work
In my entry, “Get a Hobby” I speak to the notion of the importance of structure in one’s life during a time of unemployment; structure of schedule, of activity, and of mind. Think back to when you were employed (for those of you who are, this should be rather easy), do you remember the sharpness that you displayed, the reactive nature in which you completed your tasks? To arrive at a place where you are supremely-efficient takes quite some time – but to lose it only takes days.
The blog, then, combats this notion. Instead of letting the quickness and creativity of my mind rest during these past weeks, I want to continue to challenge it. Instead of letting myself relax, I began to implement strict deadlines for myself. “I will get ‘x’ number of entries done by ‘x’” – and I stuck to it. Knowing that I had to juggle writing a new entry, applying for jobs, and going on interviews on top of the daily chores that I found myself becoming responsible for was not only enough to keep busy, but enough to utilize and strengthen the project management skills that I acquired in my previous position.
Yes – I certainly love to write, and I am happy that there are people who are enjoying what I share. The blog is designed not only to engage, excite and entertain the readers (although I hope it does); it has become a job within a job, within another job – certainly something that will ready me for my future job.
Job well done.
