The search

I started looking at job-search resources on Thursday after work, as planned.

Mostly I need a shift of mindset from avoidance toward engagement in the process. Over the past few days I realized I should be addressing this on a daily basis, at least during the week. So my goal will be, by the end of October, to establish a habit of spending 45 minutes after work every day working on my career. This may include any number of activities, for starters:

1. I will begin by working through Your career is calling: five paths to job perfection, as recommended by pippasporch
2. reading job boards
3. rewriting my resumé
4. researching and sending queries for potential freelance writing
5. researching opportunities for further education
6. network with friends who may be engaged in the same process (I know of one and can think of another couple possibilities)

And there will be lots of other things to add to this list, some fun and some not so fun, but all for the benefit of a happier, more secure future, I must keep telling myself.

I usually get home around 5:30, so 45 minutes shouldn't be too onerous or interfere with other evening activities I enjoy. Even during my volunteer shift on Tuesday nights I have time and internet access; I just have to be flexible about that time.

For the next two weeks I will concentrate on doing it twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays, then increase the commitment.

Sometime in October I would like to do one or several career brainstorming sessions with friends. This will be more fruitful once I've done a little research. I have already hinted to several Guelph-area friends about this (Lori, Sarah D, Michele C, Paula and Danny), but if anyone else wants to help, you are welcome, in fact I could set up another session in Toronto. I'll make it worth your while. And of course, to anyone who I only see online, you are welcome to make suggestions any time. No ideas will be considered too crazy, for the time being, until I have chosen a focus.

Danny is here for the weekend. We were able to get out and about yesterday until mid-afternoon, when he had to start work remotely. He was up most of the night.

Unfortunately I am not well, in considerable pain. I don't want to elaborate; it suffices to say this shouldn't be anything serious, however sitting is impossible, most activity is uncomfortable, and I've spent most of the past 24 hours lying down. If it doesn't improve soon, I'll have to see a doctor and take tomorrow off work. We're watching movies whenever Danny gets a break from his tasks.