Honesty, Simplicity, and the Tao of Job-Seeking
Every Thursday is Goat-Free Simplicity day at Living Behind the Curve.
My stress levels lately have been through the roof — the new entry on my to-do list, “find a new job”, doesn’t exactly encourage gentle relaxation. Unwilling to lose sight of my goals for daily living, however, I’ve made some small (and some not-so-small) changes to my patterns and routines that minimize the stress while maximizing the experience.
The first breakthrough came when I realized that the one thing I want most from a new job is time. I focused my search on local companies (within a 5-mile radius) and opened up to the idea of part-time work. One of the first openings I pursued under these criteria seems to be pretty close to the ideal job for me right now, and may end up being my new job.
Once my job search was focused and fully underway, I made the decision to be completely open and honest with my boss. I explained that I was not resigning yet, but that I was looking. I am blessed with a very understanding boss, and while he is rather upset at my departure, he is supportive and doing anything he can to help me (including letting me leave early and come in late for interviews.) By doing this, I’ve removed a major potential stressor: I don’t need to come up with stories about why I’m late or what I’m doing, and I don’t have to worry that my secret will get out somehow. Plus, the full-disclosure route truly benefits everyone involved. My boss and co-workers are prepared to start taking on some of my every day tasks, and I have extra time to close up shop, so to speak. I’m creating a status book for all of my projects, so with a little bit of luck and lots of documentation, none of my (soon to be former) clients will suffer. Rather than a massive crazy rush to get everything documented and people trained, I should be able to spend my last days there having nostalgic M&M fests at an admin desk and taking down pictures.
Outside of work, I’ve made a point to restructure my leisure time. One of my favorite hobbies is crossword puzzles and word games, but the time I used to spend on them has been eaten recently by schoolwork. This week, I picked up a new puzzle book and I’ve been giving myself 15 minutes a night to “play”. I’m finding great joy in rediscovering this habit, and it keeps my mind sharp.
The final change I made was to add a conscious element of spirituality to my every day life. I’ll read a short passage on a web site, read today’s entry in my Celtic Book of Days, or even just drive with the windows down so that I can be in touch with the elements and not just live in the hermetically-sealed and air-conditioned world. It keeps me grounded, and keeps my soul alive.
I know that these changes are mostly specific to me and my current position in life, but I think that the general lesson is a good one, no matter where your life is heading: find small things you can do to achieve your goals, be they financial or spiritual or personal, and act on them. Be open and honest whenever possible (not everyone can have this conversation with their boss, I realize), because facades in all forms are at best exhausting and at worst devastating.
Most importantly, don’t become so consumed by stress that you forget to live.