The Out Of Work Vortex

Hiatus ended months ago. You haven’t worked for a while.  You have had a number of interviews but still no job. The clock is ticking.  Open slots are few and far between. The season is booking up fast and you’re getting nervous.

You’re internal psychological weather forecast is ominous. Your thoughts are turning from hopeful to negative. You are asking yourself questions like, “What am I doing wrong? Why aren’t they calling? How am I going to pay my bills? What if I miss the whole season?” More time passes. The most recent credit on your resume starts receding into the distant past. You can feel that sinking feeling, the out of work vortex, the downward spiral.  You can see the danger signals: paralysis, anger, resentment, depression and fear.  You are sleeping too much, eating too much, drinking too much, and the TV is starting to look like your best friend.

One of the most valuable things you can do for your career is learn how to manage these difficult periods productively, creating structures that support you whether you are working or not. These structures make you more impervious to the whims of the industry; they ground you in your life vision. They help you develop long-term strategies that make you more autonomous and sovereign, reinforcing your authority.

The Short Term

Attitude determines Altitude. The first and most pressing task is managing your feelings right this second. Let’s call it immediate crisis intervention. You don’t want your anxiety, fear, and negativity to spill over and poison the well. What you focus on is what you will attract. If you are focused on negatives then you will attract more of the same, you will seep desperation, you will have unreasonable expectations in interviews and find ways to sabotage your efforts.

 Your primary job between jobs is to advocate for yourself at this very moment you feel the least capable of doing it. It requires contrary action and lots of it. You must change your perspective and your attitude.  This is how the business works. You signed up for this. So buckle up, take all your hutzpah, wit, intelligence and creativity and advocate for yourself in the same ways you advocate for the projects and productions you work on. It’s all the same, except now you are working for yourself. 

BUT HOW? (You scream) Well, what do you usually do when you are down in the dumps: take a walk, clean the house, visit friends, go to the gym, see your coach or therapist, get back on anti-depressants, and get out of town. (That was my favorite. I would leave town, make myself scarce and invariably a job would offer itself.) 

 The idea is to change the energy flow, yours and yours concerning others. Get those vital juices flowing again. Do almost anything; just do something to get yourself off the couch and into action again. Volunteer, diversify your skill set, commit to your projects, learn something new, anything, just do something. Life rewards action. All of a sudden you aren’t focused on your problems. Energy is flowing into your life; before you know it, that energy will bounce back in some wonderful unexpected way.

The Mid-Term

Once you feel better you will be able to more objectively evaluate your present situation. This may involve some financial analysis, possibly some form of ongoing emotional support during the crisis, and possibly some new marketing or team-building initiatives to get the old career back on track. It may mean changing representation, it may mean getting more systematic about networking and following up with previous contacts. It may involve all manner of things either directly related to the business, your career, or other areas of your life. It may mean taking better care of yourself. You might simply be exhausted and have nothing more to give right now.  

Genuine re-creation may be just what the doctor ordered.  Maybe there is something hidden deep within you that you have always wanted to do or express.  Maybe now in this one quiet moment between jobs it’s gifting you the chance to do it, express it, or live it. These transformative opportunities enliven the essential proactive, creative and productive you. They stimulate you to thrive and engage instead of ruminate and withdraw.

The Long Term

In the longer term start focusing on what you want and stop focusing on what you don’t have. And for god’s sake stop comparing yourself to others. You might have to stop reading the trades for a while. The question is, “how can I position myself to be sustainable during both up and down cycles?”

Create a team approach to representation or your network. Be proactive not passive. You and your creativity drive your career. Build an advisory team or network that supports your career building. 

Don’t be complacent, the person, company, or production that employed you for the last five years might be gone tomorrow. Even when working you should be marketing. Sure your work speaks for itself but you should speak for yourself too. You are freelance. You run your own business. Coke never stops marketing, why would you?

Create a real strategy for your future. Have benchmarks and goals and structures that make you more focused and accountable. Stop dreaming about what you want to do and start planning what you will do. Set your magical thinking aside for a second. Get your head out of the clouds and start operating more systematically making your targeted objectives specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-oriented. Your life, career or business deserves the effort.