Get Organized, Get Up and Get Started(if you seriously need a job)

Here is a list of simple ways we can help ourselves remain open to change to positively impact the results of our efforts.

A job search can be frustrating, paralyzing and enough to make you want to go back to bed. A job search can also be exciting, validating and a way to develop opportunities you never imagined. There are a lot of factors in play, but the biggest factor is you. How you feed your mind during this time of transition can make a huge difference in your results.

Change is difficult, yet we all know it's inevitable. We have to find the power over our mind and emotions to not resist it. If we remain open, we may even find we can embrace it. Here is a list of simple ways we can help ourselves remain open to change to positively impact the results of our efforts:

- Find a designated place to conduct your job search. We are creatures of habit, so find a place that is designed to conduct business. Maybe it's your office, the library or a coffee shop.

- Develop a schedule. Just like you have a time when you show up to work, set up a specific time to regularly work on your job search. In your personal life, if you have to get something done, you block time on your calendar to do it. A job search is no different.

- Make sure you have a calendar to plan your activities, and a way to organize your notes and contacts. Keeping all of your job search information in one place is important. Think about how you can leverage your mobile technology to help you so you have access to everything you need even when you're on the run.

- Do three events or business meetings a week if you are unemployed, and two to three meetings a month if you have a job. You need to try new things and meet new people in order to increase the odds of your success. It's important to get out and be with people in order to build relationships that will lead to your next position. This could be through an industry event, a lecture, a job fair or simply a coffee meeting. The more activities you schedule for your job search, the faster you will find the right job.

- Reach out to your network. Make sure you can concisely share what you are looking for so that when people hear about something they'll recognize whether it may be of interest to you.

- Try anything once. Do something that is outside your comfort zone. This is a good exercise to build self-confidence. Ask a friend to do it with you if you feel like you might be tempted to back out.

- Follow up on your activities. If you meet with someone, send him or her a thank-you. If you promised to call on a certain day, then call on that day.

- Don't hide behind your computer all day. Get out and surround yourself with people. Go to the park or the library.

- Read the local business newspaper, industry news or trade journals. Brush up on the trends in your space. This gives you something interesting to talk about when you meet new people. Consider who might also find such information valuable and pass it on. Research gives you a great excuse to reach out to someone in your network.

- Volunteer. Give back to your community, because nothing does more to keep things in perspective. Try to find ways to use your professional skills in a volunteer setting. For example, if you're an accountant, try to find an organization that needs bookkeeping assistance. If you're a receptionist, try to find an opportunity that puts you on the phone. You never know whom you might meet because of what you are doing.

Whether or not you have a strong sense of urgency for finding a new job, you can still design the best work for yourself and move your career in a positive direction. Sometimes all you have to do is get organized, get up and get started. You may even find yourself enjoying the journey. Do things that inspire you and allow you to shine when you discover the right opportunity.