We are creature of habit and routine. When we have a job, we have a built in routine.  We know just when to get up in the morning, how much time we have to get ready, when we need to leave to get to work at a specific time, when we can get to the gym, when to go to bed and what to do pretty much every minute in between.  Without a job to go to, that routine no longer exists.  Perhaps, when you first lost your job, you thought you’d take the opportunity to catch up on some projects around that house that you hadn’t had a chance to tackle.  Or, you thought you’d get some reading done.  But, now that you have all the time in the world, you don’t seem to know how to best use it.  You know the saying, ‘If you want something done, ask a busy person.”  Sometimes, the more we have to do, the more efficient we are.  Or, maybe you think you should be spending 40 hours a week working on your job search and you find yourself sitting by the phone or computer waiting for responses to the inquiries you have sent out.  Whatever your situation, I suspect your feeling a little like a fish out of water, not sure just how to make the best use of your time.

Here are some tips that might help:

1. Establish a routine:  Get up and dressed at the same time every day, just as you did to go to work.
2. Deal with your emotions.  Accept and resolve them.  You are not your feelings.  People want to see you as positive/can do/eager not depressed, angry, tired.
3. Make a list of  all the things you need and want to do.  Include non job search related activities as well as those pertaining to your search.
4. Create a schedule for yourself.  Include job search activities and personal activities.  Honor the schedule.   Consider your unique energy patterns:  do high energy tasks when you are high energy, etc.
5. Apportion your time relative to the value of the task.  (Most people get jobs through networking…spend more time on networking activities than other methods)
6. Manage interruptions. Set boundaries with your spouse, kids, friends, etc.  Now that you’re home, everyone thinks you’re available.  Clarify with others when you need to be left alone and when you will be available. 
7. Create efficient space for job search activities: A quiet corner of a room, a desk, files, phone.
8. Keep files organized so that you can locate information easily and you aren’t stressed by clutter.
9. Avoid multitasking.  Work on one thing until you’re done before going on to the next.  Don’t allow things like checking email or a visit to the refrigerator to distract you from what you are supposed to be doing.
10. Time on task can be scheduled according to amount of time spent or completion of a task.  For example: I’m going to spend one hour researching companies on the internet or, I’m going to research these 5 companies on the internet, no matter how long it takes; or I’m going to work on my resume for 1 hour or I’m going to work on my resume until I’ve completed a solid first draft. Either way is fine.  Just define it.
11. Keep an ongoing follow up list.  Tasks that still need to be completed.  People you need to contact.  Next steps.  Check things off as you complete them.
12. Replenish your energy.  At work, you got satisfaction from the completion of tasks, interactions with others, etc. Create ways to get positive energy and feedback. 
13. Take good care of yourself.  Exercise, eat healthy foods, socialize, get plenty of rest.  It’s important that you take time for yourself.  A job search is a demanding undertaking.
14. Job search requires many, many micro steps.  Give yourself credit for all of them, not just job interviews. 

In other words, use the same time management habits that helped you be effective in your job in your current task to find opportunities for the next phase of your life.