What Affects Your Mood

Just to update you, I am in the process of looking for a new job. I am still presently employed but my current contract ends in June and I don't have a guarantee of being placed on a longer contract. I am ready to go although I do have some misgivings. I lover helping people change their lives but I do not like all the unnecessary stress that my current position entails. I am a team player but when too many people have control over what you can and cannot do and those people do not always take the time to fully understand circumstances impacting your job but still instill changes, demands, and/or criticism that oftentimes does not make sense, it is time to go. I had hoped to have completed some other goals that would have made my job search much less stressful but that did not happen so I have to jump into the foray not as prepared as I would have hoped. I have a couple of job leads but this is truly the worst time to be seeking new employment.

I have noticed something a little disturbing about myself. When I research job leads and I find one that I like I start to feel as if I already have the job and I can actually sense a dramatic upswing in my mood. I will suddenly find myself whistling, or smiling, and I will have to check myself to remember that I don't actually have the job yet. I would like to think that this is part of the whole positive visualization that people talk about. That sounds a lot better then thinking that I am actually a little crazy. I especially feel this way when the potential salary is higher. I start thinking of how I will use the extra money. On the other hand I feel very deflated, depressed, and fearful when the job does not pan out. Again this may be normal but the extreme impact this has on my mood is a little disconcerting.

I have not yet checked the ads for this week but I am hoping that I will see some potential prospects. I will force myself to prepare a couple of resumes and at a minimum send out at least three. I also need to research a few potential certifications that might help improve my resume. Of course I still am uncertain how to proceed with the one thing that would really help me-my dissertation. Just typing that freaks me out and I feel the need to quickly distract myself. Oh look, my kids are playing 'Little Big Planet.' It's so pretty....

I'm back , my mind just took a convenient detour. I am also planning to log on to Weight Watchers this week. Yet another long term goal. Wish me luck.