We tend to think of our job primarily as a source income so if we are made redundant then it is easy to surmise that money is the only thing we are missing out on. However the daily routine of going to work also provides our life with other important ingredients such as discipline and human contact. When these factors are removed because a job is lost then motivational problems can set it. It’s quite ironic that when we have a job we can spend a lot of time wishing we didn’t have to work but when it is gone we overlook all the different benefits that it adds to our life!

Therefore, in order to keep motivated when no longer working you need find other ways of building a disciplined routine and getting sufficient human contact. When you are out of work it is very easy to get into a routine of going to bed late and getting up late. In the short term this might be fun and a welcome opportunity to rest and relax but eventually it can lead to a sense of despondency, lack of drive and even depression. It is essential to build a new daily routine to avoid this downside.

I’m not suggesting that you continue to drag yourself out of bed at 6am as if you were still at work and run out of the house a few minutes later clutching a piece of half-eaten toast. Instead, consider the ideas below:

There are also advantages to having a period of not working. Now you can take up that new hobby to which you previously never had the time to commit or you can resurrect an old hobby that you just hadn’t got around to for years. You can have more quality time with your family, watch your children grow up and have more time to pay attention to their needs. You can also contribute to your community; spending an hour or so having tea and cake with an elderly neighbour will be of great benefit to both of you.

This period of unemployment is a great opportunity to reclaim neglected aspects of your life. Then, when you do find a new job you can look back on this episode with fondness rather than despair. You might even find that you enjoyed taking time to smell the roses and determine to carry this principle into your new working life.

Well – what a productive day it has been. Back in May when I first signed up for the show I wrote a list of all the necessary tasks on a spreadsheet. About half of the tasks are done and today I knocked off a few more: ordered the electricals for the stand, booked my parking at Olympia, filled out the necessary risk assessments, figured out how many helpers I would need and ordered extra exhibitor badges accordingly.

This afternoon I was interviewed by BBC London and talked about what coaching is about and what my clients gain from it.

Tomorrow I’m off to Cheltenham for the Gloucestershire Mind Body Soul weekend (at Pittville Pump Rooms if you are in the area) where I give my Six Steps To Lead The Life You Want To Lead talk on Saturday afternoon. Last weeks rehearsal was very useful and I have spent some time slightly tweaking the talk to improve it. Tomorrow morning I will have a quick run through at home and then it’s into the car and off to the gig. I plan on having a leisurely afternoon in Cheltenham before being busy at the show on Saturday.