Five Ways Letting Go Helps Your Job Search

There is something very comforting about insurance and the insurance business. It’s the knowledge that you’re helping people beat the unknown and guard against life’s negative events. Health insurance when someone is sick.  Disability insurance when someone is no longer able to work and provide for himself or his family. Life insurance to take the financial burden off those who remain after the loss of a loved one.

The insurance business is about providing a measure of control in uncontrollable situations. People who are attracted to the business are dedicated to serving their clients to make sure that they have peace of mind and security against life’s unpredictable circumstances.

If you’re in a job search, you may be frustrated dealing with the uncertainties of the job market and an unstable economy. So much for security. While you’d like to have a measure of control, sometimes letting go is a better strategy. There is no job insurance. Your education and experience can’t guarantee a suitable position with a great salary and future. In an Inc.com article, “Success Means Learning to Let Go,” author Geoffrey James suggests just that. Letting go of what you think should happen may just be the road to success.

1.    Let go of expectations. You earned the degree(s). You have some experience. You have desire and a positive attitude. So you expect to get the job. The old rules don’t apply anymore. Yes, it takes all those skills and attributes to land a job, but there are other variables.

2.    Let go of disappointment. Building up expectations can set you up for disappointment. Take each opportunity as a “maybe.” If it doesn’t happen, let it go and move on.

3.    Let go of disapproval. Needing approval from the outside is a lose-win situation. You will lose every time. Because whether you are approved of or not, the other person is in control. You’re happy if they approve or miserable if they don’t approve. The only opinion that really matters is yours. What other people think of you is really none of your business.

4.    Let go of “the perfect job.” There aren’t any. If the job description is just what you want, there will probably be a difficult co-worker or boss to contend with. Or a lot of travel. Or crummy office space or…well, you name it. Take a tip from HGTV’s “House Hunters.” Make a list of your “must-have’s” and “nice-to-haves.” Try to get all or most of the “must-haves” on your list. Let go of the rest.

5.    Let go of your time-table. Artificial deadlines can put the pressure on and force a decision that may not be in your best interest. Who said you should have this type and level of job at this salary by the time you were 20, or 30 or whatever? Setting goals are great, but when they cause frustration or make you doubt your success and worth, they become counter-productive.

It would be nice if there was a product called Job Insurance.  Do all the right things, get your degree or license and you’ll be employed for life.  If it was possible to insure a future, someone would have already done it and made a fortune.  Letting go opens up possibilities and opportunities.  Once you leave expectations and the “should-be’s” of life behind, the door is wide open for endless possibilities.

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