Which way to go? What to do?

"Be at a crossroads" is defined in the Cambridge English Dictionary as "to be at a stage in your life when you have to make a very important decision".

Coincidentally a friend and I were let go from our respective positions within a week of each other, we did not work at the same company. This was about two months ago. Since then we have gone to a couple of job fairs, a term I use very loosely. We live just outside a major city on the East Coast, job fairs should be large events with a ton of local companies showing up looking for talent, so not the case here. The first one we went to was just sad; there were 7 companies there - 5 were financial companies, 1 funeral home, and a staffing agency. Not exactly a great turn out.

The second one we went to was at the baseball stadium in that large city, better options when it came to companies, there was about 30 total. A couple of trade schools, the military, the state police, a few staffing agencies, retailers; you get the picture. The same over and over again. I talked to a couple of the agencies since they were ones I had never heard of in this area. Thought it would give me more options when it came to finding something that is right for me. I emailed them later the same day, it was nice talking to you today here is a copy of my resume for your records kind of email. Then, nothing - crickets could be heard for miles after that. I do realize the emails could have been flagged as SPAM but you would think that agencies that like check their SPAM to make sure that they don't lose a lead or a potential candidate because of it. I gave it a couple of weeks, thinking maybe they just haven't checked SPAM yet. I've totally given up now.

My friend scheduled an interview with one of the companies from the first job fair, a financial company. If he was offered anything he didn't take it since he is not working there at this point.

I believe we are both sitting at this crossroad trying to figure out what we each want to do next. There is always the option of starting a business, folding and taking a job just to have a job that brings in a salary or keep searching to find the right fit. I vote for searching for the right fit, I've spent too much time working somewhere just because I needed a job to support my family (single parent here). It's time for me to find work that at the very least doesn't give me anxiety going in every morning.

Right now, that leaves us sitting here...searching to determine what will be next.

Advice: Good, Bad or Indifferent, It All Matters

Advice is freely given however not so easily taken. Even when not solicited advice can be helpful, yes even bad advice. The bad advice will help with sorting out the good advice given or at the very least help determine the next steps to be taken no matter what the situation. The good advice you will know right away, you’ll feel it.

When I was a teenager I worked in a retirement community dining room as a server providing breakfast and dinner to the residents. I don’t remember the incident that caused me to be sitting in the director’s office, waiting, feeling like I was in the principal’s office at school waiting for my punishment, this is where I received the best advice that sticks with me even now so many years later.

The advice I was given can be utilized in any situation. The beauty is in the generalization and simplicity. Can you fix it? (NO) Can you change it? (NO) if you can’t fix it or change it then why worry about it?

Worrying about something you cannot control will only drive you crazy. Let it go. Move on. Take what you need and form a plan of action then act.

While this may be redundant, it bears repeating, the best thing to do with any advice; bad, good or indifferent…

Ø  Listen carefully. You may actually get one nugget that helps.

Ø  Ignore what doesn't ‘feel’ right. Trust your instincts.

Ø  Great advice will resonant with you and help you move forward.

Ø  Sleep on it. Sleeping helps the unconscious mind work through the advice given helping pin point the important nuggets.

The best advice I can give when listening to or taking advice from someone, is always do what you feel is right for you and NEVER blame the person that gave you the advice you decided to take. It’s your decision no matter what the outcome.