How You Look is Important

When you were at work, you never really had to think too much about what you wore. The dress code of the company and of your colleagues more or less dictated this. The very fact that you went to work each day meant that you left your house each morning fresh, groomed, wearing your work clothes and ready to greet the day.

Now that you don't have to go to work, there is no dress code. You don't have to dress for a boss, for work colleagues or clients any more. So what you now put on each day doesn't matter - right?

You can just chill out now and throw on whatever you like - OK?

Absolutely not. Your appearance now is possibly far more important for the following reasons:

• The first person you dress for is yourself. The fact that you dedicate time and effort into how you look gives yourself the message that you are important . You are now not dressing for anyone else but yourself - and for one sole reason - yes, you ARE worth it!

• You pay attention to your appearance for the sake of those who care about you. People close to you, who love you, will be concerned for you at this time. It is actually extremely painful to watch a loved one sinking down and going to seed. If people who care for you see that you are caring for yourself, they will be much relieved. They will see it as a sign that you are coping with this situation, that you are putting structure into your life and that you will come out the other end a stronger person

• You also dress for others. The appearance you choose will also send a strong signal to those you meet outside your living space. Life is full of opportunity. One thing about opportunity is that you never know where it is going to come from. On a trip to the supermarket, you might bump into a neighbour. This person may be in a position to recommend you to someone else. You have no way of knowing this; your neighbour may not even tell you. S/He may simply observe you for a while and then pass on this recommendation - you simply do not know. Each time you leave the house, see it as an opportunity for a new experience, a new opportunity. Be ready for it.

Does this mean that you need to invest in new clothes or wear your business suit each day?

No, not at all. But it does mean that each day you get up, you shave (if you were in the habit of doing this at work) or put on your make-up (if you were in the habit of doing this) and shower. Your clothes are clean and ironed. Your hair is clean and groomed. In other words, if you had to drop back casually into your old workplace, you would look just fine.

Looking after your appearance is making a commitment to yourself each day that, regardless of your personal circumstances, you deserve respect, attention and dignity.

If you do not give this to yourself, why would you expect others to give it to you?

If you do not look after your appearance, how easy is it going to be to attract the attention of those who might be able to help you?

Start focusing on yourself right now and make this commitment to yourself every day.

www.career-guidance-ireland.com

Managing Your Thoughts in the Morning

The first thoughts that pop into our heads in the morning are the ones which set the scene for the rest of the day. This is why it is so important to monitor them. On waking, you might notice that a thought seems to be in your head already. It may be: "Great, the sun is shining." or " Oh God, another day, what am I going to do with it?"

Both are valid thoughts, but both have vastly different effects. The positive or negative energy attached to our first thoughts can linger with us throughout the day. Each thought that passes through our minds has an effect on our bodies. The first example here is obviously a positive one which will make you want to jump out of bed. The second thought is a heavy one. The body will feel pulled down and depressed. You will want to stay in bed, seeing no reason to get out of it.

This is where you come in.

Only you know what goes on inside your head. Only you have the power to change it.

The good news is that we can change our thoughts - any thoughts. We are not slaves to what goes on inside our heads; at any stage we can take control and change these thoughts. In fact, are minds are very obedient when we give them clear and consistent messages.

The first step is to recognise what thought you are currently holding in your head. This is especially important first thing in the morning . Is this thought positive or negative?

If it is positive, add to it: "Great the sun in shining - I can take out the bike and head down town..."

If the thought is negative, it needs to be changed.

Focus in on this negative thought. See the effect it is having on your energy and your body.

Now replace the thought.

Replacing a thought can be a challenge, especially if this thought is very ingrained. The easiest way to attack and replace an ingrained thought is with a phrase that is very familiar to you. You will have prepared it already. This is a phrase that is repeated over and over until the thought is replaced. This is called an affirmation.

There are infinite examples of affirmations you could choose. The one to pick is the one that has the biggest effect on you. For example, I could say: "Today is the start of the rest of my life" or an affirmation that many people use is: " Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better"

Search for affirmations on the Internet. Read through the long list you will find. Choose the one which is strongest for you. Learn it off. The next morning you find your head invaded by negative thought, blast it with your new affirmation!

"But", you say, " what if I don't feel in the least positive? Will I only be fooling myself using this affirmation?!"

You are perfectly right. Most of the time if you are thinking negative thoughts, you actually don't want to change. It takes effort. When you start doing your positive affirmation, it will feel quite foreign, as if you are telling yourself stories.

But keep going! Your mind does not know the difference! If you keep repeating that you are happy to greet the day, gradually your mind will believe this and you will feel your body getting lighter and happier.

You have changed the tape. You have set your day up.

Enjoy it.

It is yours.

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Possibly the most difficult thing about being unemployed is to see a whole day stretch before you and not know what to do with it. The time seems endless and a feeling of uselessness creeps in. One way to confront this is with structure .

If you think about it, work gave your day structure. You had to be up at a certain time and at work at another. It sounds very obvious, but one of the most important things to do in a day where you are not required to go to work it to get up - early! Many courses which are organised for people who are changing career start early in the morning- sometimes at 8.30 am. There is a reason for this, it is to get participants up early.

It has been recognised for thousands of years that early morning is the most powerful time of the day ( between 5.30 am and 7.00 am) It is a time of stillness which lends itself very well to any kind of daliy practice, such as Yoga, meditation, writing or physical exercise. You will find that it is easy to focus on your chosen activity and your thoughts will be clear.

There are studies which show a link between proactivity and people who get up early. However, tyr it yourself. It is amazing how in control it can make you feel. The following day stay in bed later and see how different this feels.

"Its hard", you say," to get up early when I have nothing to get up for". Agreed, it is not at all easy.
A good idea is to find a motive. Is there some little person who needs to get to school? Would a neighbour like an early paper delivered? Or how would your body respond to some early morning walking or jogging?
Try it. The air is pure... no traffic. The sun rises early these mornings and it is bright. You have the world to yourself and you can do whatever you like with it!

www.career-guidanceireland.com