By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

If you are out of work, you may feel the need to accomplish something every day at the same time you may most likely feel feelings of loss and grief. When you lose your job (whether it is your choice or not), feelings of loss are natural, even healthy. Losing a job can feel like a death.

You may think you need to get yourself into gear and start to kick yourself in the rear. Talk with that voice in your head that wonders what you are doing. Your first goal is to feel your very real feelings of loss and grief. If you do not deal with your feelings, they will deal with you. Painful feelings of loss and grief are normal and inescapable. Commit time every day to deal with your feelings. In the beginning of your transition – it is important to feel your feelings. This is the wise way to move through your grief and loss. When you make it a goal to feel your feelings and gain understanding – you are more likely got get on board with transitioning from your job loss and into your job search.

Here are some tools you can use you to work with and through your feelings:

• Talk or share with a trusted friend or colleague about your thoughts and feelings. In the beginning stages of loss and grief, it’s important to choose this individual wisely. Choose someone you trust. Choose someone who will provide a safe environment. Choose someone who can handle your difficult feelings. Choose someone who will let you talk and not give you advice. The time for advice is later, not at first. Feelings of loss and grief are painful, difficult and uncomfortable. However, stick with your process. It will pay off for you. If you don’t have a trusted friend or colleague, or you feel overwhelmed - feel free to find a therapist. This investment in yourself is wise. Feelings have a life of their own and if you don’t deal with them, they will deal with you.

• Write in a journal or on a computer your thoughts and feelings. The healing and restorative aspect of journaling requires you must write with the intention of understanding and learning. Research proves the act of self-expression, with the intention of learning and understanding your experience, eventually creates clarity, understanding and boosts your immune system. For more information read, “Opening Up – The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions” By James Pennebaker.

• Exercise - This is probably not new information for you. Exercise creates hormones that soothe and help you literally feel better.

• Do mundane tasks such as organizing, cleaning, and yard work – anything that you can physically accomplish each day, while allowing your mind to rest, and wander. Letting go of intense thinking allows you time and space for your intuition to jump on board and generate ideas and insights.

• Have fun – schedule in some fun time every day. Be with your friends and family. If you schedule these activities, you can cross them off your list when you accomplish these invigorating goals. Meet your achiever needs while enjoying others and having fun.

• When you are ready, start organizing your job search campaign. Review your accomplishments. Update your resume and other job search tools. There has never been a more important time to create documents (resume and cover letter etc.) that put your best foot forward. Set timelines for your goals. Make your job search your full-time job (most people don’t do this - take the reins of your job search). This way you increase your chances of landing a job. You may even land a better job. Read books and hone your interviewing skills.

• Meditate or Pray or do both. Meditation and Prayer are two more resources proven to heal and calm you during times of stress.

• Enjoy a Massage or Take a hot bath. Relax, relax, and relax. Relaxation is not only healing during times of stress, it activates well-being and allows time and space for your innate intuition to arise.

Change is a necessary part of healthy growth, development and life. Most people dread change. Manage your job loss and change. You will achieve results. Learn from your experience. Commit to the process of feeling your feelings. Learn from your experience and you will move forward stronger - with greater self-knowledge.

Go for it; utilize your innate talents. Move forward in the direction of your choice. Create an even better life experience for you and your family.

We wish you the best. Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter, or other job search documents, feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Goethe

Sandy Prock M.Ed (emphasis in Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com