A recent op-ed piece in the Washington Post by Robert J.
Samuelson “Why job creation is so hard” contends
that the real culprit behind slow job growth is the “psychological shift”
caused by the Great Recession and economic meltdown. The dramatic and “largely unpredicted” collapse created a pervasive psychology of restraint - consumers and companies alike are less willing to take a risk or try something new whenconfronted by uncertainty. Call it behavioral economics or “animal spirits”there is no question that attitude and perception can shape reality.
How is your attitude affecting your career or job search?
Many people I speak with are coping with uncertainty on a daily basis. Some
people view the future as full of opportunity while others struggle with a
sense that their best years are past. It's a choice that all of us get to make
every day of our lives.
From Pollyanna to Positive Psychology, the idea that we are shaped less by circumstances than
by our attitude toward those circumstances is not new. While I'm not going to
suggest that we all play the “glad game” every time life throws us a curveball, I do believe that attitude matters.
Take interviewing. No matter how qualified you are for the position, it’s your attitude that registers with the interviewer. And it's not just about your level of confidence. How do you feel about your search? Are you angry? Still have unresolved resentment about your situation? Don't kidyourself. That resentment comes through loud and clear in any interview.
So what can you do?
Start by paying attention. Observe your thoughts. Make a conscious decision about how you frame your circumstances. Recognize that while you cannot control everything in your life, you do have a choice in how you react.
