So for the first time after years of independence and freedom, you feel like you're rewinding the clock back to high school by moving into the same old room at your parent's house. Sure there's the tiny perks: no rent (sometimes), free food (most of the time), and free laundering (haven't heard of otherwise...so far). But the point is, we're moving backwards, by making the move BACK home. No doubt about it: You start off at home in high school, you're off in college, and you're SUPPOSED to be off on your own after that, right? It used to be that only the failures and lazies crawled back home to mommy and daddy, but national statistics claim somewhere between 70-80% of graduates have moved back home.
But things don't need to be miserable and fruitless. Here's some ways to maximize your time while you're back, and how to put yourself on the right track to get on your own ASAP.
But things don't need to be miserable and fruitless. Here's some ways to maximize your time while you're back, and how to put yourself on the right track to get on your own ASAP.
1. Put yourself on the Clock.
Schedule your days, keeping an itinerary for weekdays at the very least. Set tasks and errands as appointments instead of just walking through your daily activities.
2. Maintain a Work-Like Environment.
Keep your door closed, especially if your housemates, parents or relatives are very inclusive, imposing or inviting. Try to do this during business hours at least -- your job is to stay busy and get work for yourself, so this time should definitely be for yourself.
3. Get Ready For Work.
You're going to get work sometime in the future, so you might as well get used to how that will be in the morning. Get up before 8, wash up, and get dressed up like you're going into the office. This is a tip that has also been working like a charm for telecommuters as well.
4. Have your own Office.
Have a separate space, or a room, where you can focus and do your work -- even if it's just job searching, emails, or balancing your checkbook -- its good to have an area where you ONLY work to get your subconscious in the right mode.
5. Work in a Social Environment.
If possible, spend a few hours a day working in public spaces to get used to working with outside and social distractions. Try your local Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Library, or anyplace that offers free seating. Unless you plan on doing specific types of freelancing for the rest of your life, odds are high that you'll be working in an environment outside your house.
6. Start Something.
Get in touch with people back home and think of a project that you can work together with friends or acquaintances still there -- whether it's a website, a car, a blog, a machine, a book, or a competition. It's good to keep up the habit of collaboration and teamwork even if you're not employed. If you're having a hard time finding collaborators, pick an industry, or even a hobby, and set up a blog dedicated to a specific interest you have about it.
7. Use Your Parents.
If you're back at home, exploit the obvious network opportunity: your parents. Meet with their friends, coworkers, neighbors -- you never know who they might know, and the people that they do will probably not only be older, but employed.
8. Meet Old People.
Don't just go through your parents and family to pursue the older, more employed demographic. Check out the incredible networking opportunities through neighborhood, religious, nonprofit and political groups as well. Many of these individuals can be right outside your door or just down the street: retired CEO's, mothers of HR executives, and grandfathers of of start-up founders.
9. Go Beyond Craigslist.
Don't be the Governator in Total Recall and physically pursue opportunities. Visit your local markets and shops to stay updated with the classifieds section of your city newspapers and magazines -- you can even try writing for them. Register and follow up with staffing agencies, big and small, in your area -- spend a few minutes to just walk in and check out whats going on, agencies can be just blocks away from your house.
10. Work Out.
If you find that you still have extra time to relax, have fun or idle, get in shape. Not only will it be beneficial to your performance, but it'll keep you goal motivated and results oriented. Plus, you'll be able to use local gyms, clubs, teams and organizations as a fantastic network.
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