Thinking Positively in a Negative Economy

How is your work attitude? Being out of work or stuck in a dead-end job is not the way most of us envision our work life; but in a poor economy, every employee must work hard to maintain a job or to land a new one. Unemployment or underemployment, however, can be devastating to self-esteem. That means each person in these situations will also have to work harder at maintaining a positive attitude. There is no other choice if you hope to be successful at work.

• Do not berate yourself if you have no job or a low-level position; rather, remind yourself that most people go through several jobs and careers.
• Do not tie your self-worth solely to your work; consider the sum of your talents, skills, and unique experiences.
• Believe in yourself and your competency; upgrade your skills if needed.
• Develop positive work habits.
• Strategize ways to find more meaning in your work or more meaningful work.
• Tell yourself you can conduct a successful job search.
• Display enthusiasm during an interview and while you are working.
• Set goals and persist in achieving them.
• Be grateful.
• Surround yourself with upbeat, positive people.
• Call on your network when you are feeling down or when you need help with a job search.
• Be positive; a positive attitude will help you move forward; replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Become a problem solver.
• Do something to improve your situation.
• Make friends on LinkedIn and other professional networking sites.
• Focus on what you have control over; forget about what you cannot control.

Be Enthusiastic About Your Career

If you watched the recent Academy Awards, you got to see enthusiasm up close and personal in the form of acceptance speeches. The smiles, the tears, the laughter--all reflective of the heart and soul poured into a career. What would make you gush about your job in the same way? What would it take to get that feeling?

Think about ways in which you can muster the same kind of enthusiasm for your career as the actors, actresses, directors, and producers who won awards.

• Look for ways to project enthusiasm through your attitude, smile, and personality.
• Surround yourself with upbeat people.
• Find ways to enjoy your work--no matter what it is.
• Embrace your work and workplace with an open mind and flexibility.
• Create passion in all you do and say.
• Excite others about what you do and how you do it.
• Rejuvenate yourself when your enthusiasm wanes. Take time to have fun, enjoy time with friends, and appreciate your past accomplishments.

Let your enthusiasm show with your excited voice, winning smile, and zest for life.

Get Your Career Going--Show Enthusiasm

What happens to the new hire who shows up to work the first day bubbling with enthusiasm? Where does that eagerness go after a few months or years? How does he/she get it back? Let the boss declare an impromptu vacation day for everyone and you will see enthusiasm skyrocket.

Enthusiasm is something over which we have some control. People in similar positions in similar companies approach their jobs with different degrees of enthusiasm. We can make up our minds to be enthusiastic. Consider people you know or have read about who are passionate about what they do--Olympians, athletes, mothers raising their children. What is it about these people that sets them apart? What makes it apparent they love what they do? How can you project that enthusiasm?

• Be more pleasant, enthusiastic, and motivated.
• Show a zest for life and a love for your job through your actions and personality.
• Be a coworker others will want to work with.
• Be an employee the boss will want to promote.
• Get others excited about what you do and how you do it.

Truly enthusiastic people radiate passion in all they do. They do not let that passion fade. They rejuvenate themselves by seeking ways to keep their lives interesting.