Today's one of those days where it's hard to focus.

I'm working through some stuff (who isn't?), and it's overshadowing everything. As the day progresses, my internal tension is rising. "I haven't done anything I intended to" is running on repeat, and it's hard to ignore.

I have lists of things I can, could, or should do, yet I find myself listlessly flitting from one task to the next, barely engaged and struggling to get any momentum. Writing this post, or doing anything, feels insurmountable.

Do you have days like that?

If you're months into a job search, some days it's hard to find motivation, to focus on tasks you've done hundreds of times.

When that happens, here are some things I do

𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 Is there ONE thing you can commit to doing and completing? Once you've finished it, appreciate yourself. Tempted to scold yourself for all the things that didn't get done? Don't. Instead, remind yourself again (and again) of what you DID accomplish. Then, consider tackling one more thing...

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 It's counterintuitive, but sometimes you need to step away. Get outside, take a walk, avoid listening to podcasts or other distractions, and really notice the world around you—find something beautiful, surprising, or interesting to explore. Or, do a project you've been "meaning to do," like repotting a plant or cleaning out a closet. Be present in your break.

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 Many people find journaling comforting and cathartic. For me, the word "journaling" implies a continued effort I'm not sure I can commit to...but I can write stuff down. Whether you want to conduct your own personal retrospective or just rant, putting things in writing can help you see patterns, strategize solutions, and get unblocked.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 (𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁) 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱 Check in with someone and catch up. A brief chat could be the reset you need. Isolation during a search is tough, and human contact helps a lot. Know other people who are looking for jobs? Reach out. Share ideas and resources. They've probably gotten stuck from time to time, too. Ask what's worked for them, and if it resonates, try it.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 Some days are just not going to be productive. That's ok. Don't beat yourself up, but don't give up either. Breathe, let it go, and come back to it tomorrow.

Check us out at ZenSearch.jobs and share our platform with anyone looking for something new. Together, we can make job searching a little more zen.