As I enter my 3rd week of “in-between opportunities,” here’s what I’ve realized: the freedom to construct your own schedule means the responsibility to construct your own schedule.
Without a job to keep me at my desk for 10+ hours a day, it’s easy while away a whole day watching YouTube and chatting with friends (not that I have done it or anything…). But time is precious, and I don’t want this time to pass by without having anything to show for it.
If you are a young adult who is in-between jobs right now, like I am, there are blessings to be found! You probably don’t have any big obligations like a mortgage or college tuition for kids. You’re geographically flexible. You now have the opportunity to do amazing things that will be more difficult to do later on in life:
1. Freelance Projects / Internships: I’ve been working on a couple of freelance projects (hopefully I can share more information soon). Through these projects, I will develop another set of skills, expand my network, bring in a little bit of income, and set visible goals to work towards (not having any obligations gets boring after a while). The people I’ve been in contact with are really smart and seem good to work with, and I’m excited to be partnering with them. And it’s interesting work.
I am a big proponent of freelance projects and internships. Everything that you do during this time to further develop your abilities and contacts can only help you later on. A friend of mine took an internship at a online media company and did so well that they offered him a full-time job. So now he has a new career path (that he enjoys much more than his old one) and a repertoire of new skills, thanks to that internship.
2. Hobbies / Personal Goals: Have you ever said, I wish I had the time to do XYZ? This can be anything that you’ve wanted to do – run a marathon, volunteer on a political campaign, cook a 6-course meal, write a book – now’s the time to do it, with no more excuses.
My biggest hobby right now is Argentine Tango (and salsa, though salsa is a flirtation while tango has my heart). I’ve been dancing up a storm – taking 2-3 classes a week. I can tell that my frame is stronger, my following ability is more responsive, my posture more correct. I’m still light-years away from becoming a tanguera, but getting there is half the fun, no?
3. Languages: The ability to speak and read a second (or third, or fourth) language is an enriching skill both professionally and personally.Why not take this opportunity to brush up on your foreign language skills or start learning a new language? If you don’t have money to hire a private tutor, you can enroll in community college classes or arrange a language exchange (see Craigslist).
During the next few months, I plan on concentrating on business Chinese Mandarin to prepare myself for the possibility of pursuing opportunities in China in the future. I already have a background in the language, so that helps. But I want to go from “Dinner was really nice. My favorite dish was the Kung Pao Chicken.” (conversational) to “My experience in business analysis and strategic review will help your company in its expansion efforts.” (professional).
4. Travel: Where do you want to go? What’s stopping you? I know so many people who’ve traveled extensively during their time off. This is when you can truly take advantage of mid-week airfare / hotel specials or be able to take off months to go travel the world. I have a friend who is doing a self-constructed Scuba World Tour. You can bet that will be much more memorable than spending 6 months sleeping in and staying up late.
Where do I want to go? Too many places to count! Austin, D.C., New York, China, Argentina, Galapagos, etc. etc. I’ll try to knock several of those off my list.
The worst thing to do is to sit around and do nothing. So go do something already. 
If you’re in-between jobs and doing something cool, share in the comments!
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Great ways to stay motivated. I have flagged this in reader as one of my favorites. Also, just wanted to add to the foreign languages option a website my friend in D.C told me about. It is called MeetUp. I think the web address is the name .com of course but, I have joined the Crochet group here and it is great and FREE. You may want to explore that avenue as well.
Glad to know you are keeping yourself busy. I read your blog religiously and I know you won’t be out of work for long. You are highly intelligent. I know there is something better out there for you.
TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL!!! is on my agenda. And getting other things done I promised I’d do…
I’ve been to NYC, Chicago, Boston, Portugal and now going all around Asia
Good for you! When I was unemployed, I took lots of walks (sort of), joined Curves, cooked/baked more, cleaned my apartment…mostly boring things, but in 4.5 months, I did almost everything on my “No Excuses – You’re Unemployed” list.
Keep the motivation up, and tell us all about it!
Great post!! I fall into the ‘in-between ops’ catergory right now too and I totally agree that even when you’re job-free it’s still important to stay engaged! I have a big interview tomorrow so fingers crossed… On another note, good to see another salsa loving blogger! I have yet to try tango but love, love to go salsa dancing.
The last time I was unemployed, it drove me crazy… It was nice to have time, but became too much for me eventually. Anyhow, I’ve all but forgotten the feeling of having too much time.
Lately, I’ve been contemplating doing this sort of thing. The switching jobs type thing. My current “college” job has zero to do with my major, and I’m worried about finding a job in my chosen field. (Got a ways to go before I graduate, so things should be looking better by then.) I’m thinking it’s time to find an internship one of these days…. Even if I have to either quit or severely reduce my current job’s hours. (Is it sad that I don’t want to quit because I really like my boss?? Plus I’d be hard to replace.) Of course, I’m too concerned about the “what ifs” to do any of it as of yet……… But I have to figure it out, if I’d like to study abroad. Running out of time for that.
Sorry for the long comment, I tend to write out long trains of thought brought on by something…. >_> Bad habit.
I think all the things that you are doing to stay motivated are great. I love that you are branching out and trying new things (tango? sounds like a blast!). I really like the idea of a “No Excuses – You’re Unemployed!” list a pp mentioned.
I chose adventure and sold my house, moved 2,000 miles away from my home of 31 years and took a job caretaking a small farm. Things couldn’t be better! It’s all in how you look at it!
I see no solution to the dire job situation. I believe that it will worsen. Think about this even in the very best of times companies were in some cases very unwilling to give decent raises and benifits. Now we have a situation where they don't even need all the personal they have now. In a environment like today a company can easily get away without giving raises or even offering benifits in many cases. Earnings of fortune 500 companies are at record levels. The problem is not that most companies are unable to compensate their employees fairly its that they just choose not to do so.