Meditation - Getting Centered in the Job Search

Job searching is all about doing and action. Why would you meditate, which is basically doing nothing?

It's a good question. For me, learning to meditate meant figuring out that I could sit with my thoughts, feelings, and myself and not die.

Why Meditate?

Meditation was the last thing I thought I needed or wanted. But I tend to be a human doing far more than a human being. I use activities to avoid feelings and dealing with whatever is going on. It's very productive and does not involve copious quantities of wine. What's the problem, right?

It turns out that sitting down and learning to notice what comes up then letting it go is a good thing. Once I got the hang of meditating, it has become a comfortable and safe place to be even if my brain is chattering and I might have a feeling. It helps me settle down and move through all the things I normally get very busy to avoid.

Meditation is not always peaceful or quiet bliss. I can probably count the times I've experienced this on one hand. But it's invaluable in understanding what's going on with myself and learning to deal with whatever comes up with clarity and kindness. For me, it's been worth the time and practice.

Getting Started

First, there is absolutely no wrong way to meditate. You can sit on the floor or in a chair. You can focus on your breath or an object. You can chant or walk or both. It's good to try some different approaches and see what works for you.

I started by setting a timer on the microwave for 10 minutes, then sitting on the couch and staying there without picking up something to read or do. No special posture or breathing. No fancy cushion or bells. Just me, on the couch, doing nothing.

Once I knew I could do that, I gradually increased the time to 30 minutes. I've also enjoyed meditating with other people. Having other people there makes it a little easier to stay seated if only to save face.

The key is to set aside time to do it every day and then actually do it. First thing in the morning or last thing at night both work for me.

The other important thing is to not judge what comes up. I have done a lot of crying meditation. I've learned that even really big emotions are just energy and information. A broken heart is also an open heart and the opportunity to discover things I could not have seen any other way.

So, if your judgmental-self starts berating your meditating-self, just say hi and take the next breath. If you feel sad or angry or scared, notice that and take the next breath. If you have an absolutely brilliant idea, take the next breath.

Finding Center

You can see how this might come in handy with job searching. It's good to know that no matter what happens, you know what to do: take the next breath.

Give yourself room to move through the not-knowing, insecurity, rejection, hoping, imagining, and excitement. Job searching is a roller coaster of uncertainty. It's okay to have ups and downs and in-betweens. Daily meditation practice will help you move through it and give you a place to go when you need a little quiet to find your center.

Resources:

How to Meditate by David Gelles, a great practical series in the New York Times. Gelles also wrote Mindfulness at Work about organizations who have tried incorporating meditation at work.

Meditation Apps: some people like a little more structure than 'do nothing and breathe'. If you are one of them, there are some great apps available like Head Space and Insight Timer. Just search your app store for "meditation" and see what looks interesting.

Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Career Design, by Laurence G. Boldt. This is a career guide that incorporates mindfulness and finding work you love. There's also a nice section on meditation. A great job searching resources.

Just One Thing by Rick Hanson. There are a website and a great book by the same name. Both offer simple practices based on mindfulness. The practices are science-based and Hanson explains how to do it, what to expect, and why it works.

When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön. Last, is my personal favorite and a book I return to regularly to remember that being kind to myself through difficulty is the work of a warrior and the foundation for everything.

Read on for more ways to make your job search a success: How to Make Your Day Productive when Job Searching