Last entry I showed you how and why your thoughts, verbalizations, and intents create what you experience. To quote Mark Twain: “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.” So if you don’t like what’s happening with your job search, look to how you’re thinking and what you’re saying about the process, because your ability to find the perfect job is determined by your attitude and beliefs.

Those who are determined to find their perfect job know what it looks like and know it’s out there. Their paperwork invites interest. They sell themselves in a compelling manner. They know what they’re looking for. They eliminate anything that doesn’t fit and doggedly pursue what does.

By contrast, there are those who would rather play victim. “There’s nothing out there.” “I’m never going to find something that pays what I make now.” “I’ve been unemployed so long I’m going to lose my house!” “I got fired; I’ll never find a job now.” And after multiple interviews and no offers, comes the wail that perpetuates the situation: “No one’s going to hire me!”

It’s no coincidence that this group hasn’t made sure their cover letter and resume are eye-catching and worth reading, nor are they pro-active in their search. And because they don’t know what they want, they’re interviewing – and trying to get an offer – for any job that seems reasonable. They’re sending out blurry, vague intent. What do they expect back?

So if your search isn’t producing the desired results, how do you change it? You change your thinking. When you change your thinking, you change your intent, and what you say and do is a reflection of that.

Ever hear those lottery stories? Sometimes a family member or friend says, “He always said he’d win one day!” And then there’s the other side of that train of thought: “Oh, I play the lottery sometimes. But I never win!” When you think like that you might as well save your money, because you never will win.

By paying attention to your words and thoughts, you’ll begin to notice where you’re creating, perpetuating, and accepting negative energy, not only in your job search, but your daily existence. And then you can begin to make choices that create different results. The shorter the gap between your thoughts and the appearance of what you’re thinking about, the better you are at creating.

Pay attention to the words of other people that, out of habit, you agree with. Every time you say, think, or hear something negative, don’t accept it. Counter with the positive.

“Watch me screw this up” becomes “I choose to pay attention and do the best I can. If I make a mistake I’ll learn from it.”
Change “What a lousy day!” to “This rain makes everything so beautifully green!”
Don’t over dramatize a situation. When you catch yourself saying “I lost my keys again! I’m so stupid!” replace it with “No, I’m not stupid, but sometimes I’m forgetful, so I’ll create a specific place to put my keys, and I’ll know where they are.”
Simplified, it’s about choice. Things are what they are. You can choose to change what’s happening or change your attitude about what’s happening. It takes practice to stay conscious. But until you begin to make your choices conscious, you won’t realize how many of them have been unconscious. And if you’re not paying attention to that, you’re not aware of the consequences or benefits that come with each choice.

Only you are responsible for your life and where you are right now. You made the choices, and you created it. If you’re on a job search and aren’t satisfied with what’s taking place, no matter how outlandish this topic seems, why not choose a different approach? You just might find your perfect job!