The title is pretty self-explanatory.
I asked because I've been battling depression and anxiety for a while now and I'm one of the many British graduates who are unemployed without any hope of finding work despite holding a History degree.
I see a counsellor every week, I apply to jobs every day, I try to improve myself with what little willpower I actually have and it's not enough.
So Hubski, where can i find this?
This post is for a specific question regarding motivation, but it may help you nonetheless. I stay motivated because I always feel better after accomplishing something as opposed to not doing anything, no matter how small the accomplishment. I'd also rather attempt something and regret it than not attempt it at all, that's another motivating factor for me.
Thanks for posting this, you beat me to it. Outset, have you thought about going back to school in order to teach? The field of education is certainly one that caters to degrees in history. I'm still lacking in motivation from that post 44 days ago. I've managed to complete some work, albeit at the last moment. Deadlines are this week; let's see what happens. I manage to convince myself of the reality I will face if I don't do what I need to do, and use that reality to motivate me. I can't say it's the best method, but it's how I accomplish tasks.
I have recently been lacking in motivation. I'm trying to get back on track by remembering that not doing things makes me feel bad, and doing things makes me feel good. You know, the infinite feedback loop (if I go the right way about it). Good luck with your deadlines!
I try to log on to IRC when I can. They blocked it at work, so I wouldn't be able to daytimes. But I'd be open to it; my schedule is a fickle beast, so some weeks I'm very available and others I'm not, but I'd always like to see more people on the IRC.
You're not going to find it externally. You will have to find it from within. Start by setting simple measurable goals for yourself and accomplish them. In the past, I've set simple goals such as running a mile each day for a week. The next week, I would set a goal of doing 50 pushups each day on top of the mile. Next thing I knew, I was slowly starting to feel good about myself (physically and emotionally) and things starting snowballing, met the woman of my dreams, go married, made a baby, and so on and so forth...
I was miserably, chronically, thunderously depressed from about 13 to about 19. I managed to motivate myself from "overweight" to "anorexic", dropping over 100 lbs in the space of a summer (and keeping it off, and going lower, and...). Willpower/motivation is a muscle; you build it by exercising until you have enough of it that you flex it like an asshole. (try to stop before that last bit - the rest of the world thanks you) lessismore is absolutely spot on. Reinhold Niebuhr composed one of the greatest pieces of writing in the history of the English Language with the Serenity Prayer: It's about picking your battles. One of the things that contributes most to depression is an overwhelming sense of helplessness. "Unemployed without any hope of finding work." There's a difference between "without any hope" and "facing an uphill struggle." You've given the Universe power over your employment - trust me, the Universe doesn't give the first fuck about you or your job prospects. Another piece of wisdom: A dream is something you want. A goal is something you have the power to accomplish. You can't set "get a job" as a goal because you're entirely dependent on outside forces to accomplish it. You can set it as a dream. "Improve my resume" is a goal because there's nothing between you and doing it. It's concrete. It's measurable. And most importantly, it's a step towards the dream. Know what else kicks depression? Exercise. Nothing better. Doesn't even have to be strenuous exercise. bet you've got some way to play MP3s. Google "free audio books." Pick, say, three. Load 'em up in your phone or whatever. Then set yourself to wandering for an hour every day. Two. Just walk around, listening to someone else's wisdom. Hell, torrent some of The Great Courses or the like. Let your mind wander to what you can do to improve your situation in one concrete way every day. Find things you have power over. Exercise your power over them. It's a workout for your soul, and will make it stronger with every step. Good luck.God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Piggybacking on kb's comment Outset. If you, or anyone else on Hubski, wants someone to look over their resume and provide feedback, I'll do it. I won't hold your hand and I'm American, so if there are vital cultural differences on resumes I might miss them, but I can throw a critical eye on a resume, help with organization, whatever. (If you do take me up on this, expect it to take me up to a week, just because, well, I'm doing it for free and it isn't exactly the most fun I could have.) Only catch is that if I ever down the line decide I want to start charging people money for this I might ask you to be a reference or glowing testimonial. Highly unlikely though. Hubski: People are Here to Help.Improve my resume" is a goal because there's nothing between you and doing it