Day 1: Journaling - WHY and HOW it can transform your job search #2020mindsetmakeover

Get pumped. It's Day 1 of the 2020 Mindset Makeover Challenge for Job Seekers and Change Makers. 

First things first. Mindset work. What is it?

MINDset. Root word = MIND. We are revealing with mindset work what is going on in THE MIND. 

BEFORE we start spraying recruiters and ATS systems with our resumes, we ought to address what's going on in our MINDS (and in most cases start the reprogramming process - more on this to come.)

The topic here can be adjusted by the way, doesn't just apply to a job search. Replace with finances, health, romance or any area of life you'd like to transform.

Step 1: Grab a journal. 

It can be cute or any empty notebook for this challenge. (I recommend you do this with pen and paper though, not on a computer. It engages a different part of the brain.)

Why we want to journal our way into the job search? 

• We move too fast and don't slow down enough nowadays. Journaling - either free-flow, stream of consciousness writing or with questions as prompts, reveals blindspots in our lives and in the subconscious part of the brain. The part of our brain that controls 90+% of our actions. Tons of research on this. A daily journaling habit can transform your life. Check out Amazon for guided journals, gratitude journals, 5-min a day journals, even Career Search journals.
• The last time you were in a search was likely 2-5+ years ago and I imagine life has changed a LOT since then. This means your goals, core values and career desires have likely shifted. The ideal company culture you would thrive in before may not be what you want now.
• More importantly, it's time to SLOW DOWN and REMEMBER who we were and ACKNOWLEDGE who we are now. Journaling helps us scratch below the surface and get to know ourselves again. 
• It can be just 5 minutes a day. Famous folks who journaled daily according to Ryan Holiday - Oscar Wilde, Susan Sontag, Marcus Aurelius, John Quincy Adams, Anne Frank, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Virginia Woolf, Henry David Thoreau, Joan Didion. His book Stillness is the Key has an amazing chapter on the power of Journaling. This book is all around awesome. Why Journaling is the Best Thing You Can Do
• "Keeping a personal journal a daily in-depth analysis and evaluation of your experiences is a high-leverage activity that increases self-awareness and enhances all the endowments and the synergy among them." -Stephen R.Covey More on How Journaling can change your life in Inc.

 For the sake of this challenge, start with this question today:

"WHAT DO I WANT?

I'll repeat. "What do I want?"

It's OK to not know what you want. That's where more of the inner-work comes in. But I can tell you why it's crucial to figure it out:

It's like getting in the car to go for a drive and not putting in the address into navigation.

You want coffee..... so you drive around aimlessly for coffee shops. Sure, you MAY stumble upon a coffee shop, but will it be the BEST coffee for you? This is exactly how people land in "jobs" and not "dream jobs."

No clarity. No destination in the navigation. They just "go."

Story time: I remember when I started working at Facebook. My girlfriend said to me, "You told me 2 years ago your next job would be Facebook or Linkedin."

I honestly didn't remember even saying that (manifestation work = set it and forget it :P - more on this also to come) but point is, I was clear. The cosmos were listening to my intention. Magic/miracles/luck - whatever you believe in can happen with clarity.

Another hidden problem - when you don't know what you want (and can't articulate it clearly) OTHER PEOPLE can't help you. I believe other people become the vessel for the blessings with a job search.

Most of my jobs now when I look back, one person led to this person, to that person and voila. It's easy to connect the dots now. Most jobs still are filled with referrals and networking.

Connect the dots while you're in the search though. You'll need to start telling everyone you know that you're ready for change. Don't hide from it. Get clear and own it.

My mantra is "HELP PEOPLE HELP YOU." It starts by telling them what you're looking for.

You wouldn't tell a friend I'm looking to buy a car. Too vague. You'd say "I'm looking for a Volkswagon Beetle or a Honda Civic."

I call it the "This or that" method. "Facebook" or "Linkedin." This or that.

Getting specific and clear changes everything.

Step 2: Check in with your body. How are you feeling in response to this question? 

Any resistance? Anxiety? Notice and observe it. Write it down.

It's OK! It means you're about to do something new .... and exciting.

Change CAN be scary, but for the sake of this challenge we are reframing our mindset.

"Change IS exciting for me."

Reframe any anxious energy into EXCITED energy.

Step 3: Write down this affirmation: I'm READY for change.

Journal and free flow on what you desire, unapologetically for the next few minutes.

I'm giving you permission now to day-dream. Tap into that inner-child. Have fun with it.

Think of your pen as a magic wand. You are quite literally CREATING your perfect dream scenario. 

Example: I want a job in XYZ town, serving XYZ community, where I can use XYZ skills, making XYZ salary. My co-workers and I become best friends. The dress code is casual.

If you're totally unsure - maybe you're transitioning, still just write down whatever comes to mind. Even small acknowledgments are important here. Baby steps.

Some more prompts to get you started:

What would a dream job look like?

Company mission?

What skills do I want to use? (Writing, project mgt, love XFN work? Working with kids? Whatever comes to mind. JUST WRITE IT. No editing. :P

Dream commute? no commute? Max minutes of commute?

Size of the team you're on?

What kind of leader will you work with?

Salary?

Maybe not a job at all?

Sabbatical?

Launching your own business? 

Get intentional and clear and specific. 

Again, if this is uncomfortable? Good, that's where magic happens. OUTSIDE of the comfort zone. 

Hang on to this journal for the next week.... this is just the beginning. :)

Let me know how any of this feels for you. I promise... there's serious magic that exists when we get off computers and put pen to paper and give ourselves that time to turn inward. Use the hashtag #2020mindsetmakeover if you share on any socials. Tag me and make my day :)

This will run 5-7 days on Linkedin. You can find more tips and random life advice after that on my email list: nikiwoodall.com/2020mindsetmakeover