Unemployment does not have to be the kiss of death. Instead it can be viewed as the window of possibilities. Being temporarily unattached to a job or career provides you with a rare freedom to consider all kinds of possibilities. It’s a time to step back and evaluate WHAT you want while you have the freedom and time to prepare yourself for that.

Here’s an exercise to help you to begin to approach the process of considering your possibilities:

Unlimited Possibilities exercise: Imagine that you are standing in a doorway right now. Imagine that you are standing in this doorway with the awareness that your past jobs, life experiences, and who you have been is behind you. Imagine that you are looking out at the vast empty space in front of you as your future. Imagine standing there with the knowledge that your future holds unlimited possibilities for what you can achieve or become.

Evaluate your response: How do you respond to the belief that your future holds unlimited possibilities for what you can achieve or become? I’m going to read three statements which describe a potential response. Which of the statements below most accurately reflect your response. Be honest.

(a) I totally agree that my future holds unlimited possibilities. I know that I just need to take the steps required.

(b) I somewhat agree. I’m just not sure how I will get around the habits that have stopped me from creating the career I want in the past.

(c) I totally disagree. Ideas like unlimited possibilities are just positive thinking propaganda. It doesn’t work in real life.

Your response to the exercise reflects your general belief about what you have the potential to achieve or become in your life.

Why understanding your beliefs about your possibilities is important:

1) If any of your beliefs are limiting in nature, they will create boundaries for what you see as possibilities

2) As you limit your sights, you set constraints for your intentions, and consequently your actions.

3) Your limiting beliefs stop you from imagining that a different vision could be possible for you.