We all know that being a job seeker is very hard emotionally, and can sometimes feel like it’s difficult to keep your “cup” from being “empty.” And the holidays seem to compound the feeling.
My seven-year-old made a statement yesterday that is one of the deepest coaching tips I could say this season:
“Mommy, I love the holidays, they fill me up.”
If you don’t have younger children, you might not have heard of the concept, of being a “bucket filler.” The concept is that through our interactions with others, we are either filling others’ buckets or emptying them out.
“We all have a bucket within us that needs to be filled with positive experiences, such as recognition or praise. When we’re negative toward others, we use a dipper to remove from their buckets and diminish their positive outlook. When we treat others in a positive manner, we fill not only their buckets but ours as well.” (How Full Is Your Bucket?)
If you are feeling a bit “empty” this year, this is a great time to start filling it back up. I thought I would share with you some things I’m doing this holiday season to fill my own bucket.
1. Decorating – minus the language I might mutter when trying to get the tree to stand in its base, decorating (even when I don’t really feel like it) helps put me in the mood.
2. Music – Keep uplifting, positive, seasonal music playing whenever possible. Drown out the nasty voices! (This is one of my new favorite Christmas songs!)
3. Spend time with loved ones – This is taking the moment as it happens to really connect in this busy, frenetic world. Stopping, listening, and making eye contact. Give someone the gift of your full and undivided attention.
4. Participating – Getting Out of the House and Getting Involved! I’ve said this a million times, getting out of the house does wonders for you psyche. Even if it’s freezing outside!
5. Look for inspiration – Where can you go and who can you listen to for inspiration? Is there a book, a close positive friend, or audio recording/podcasts of spiritual/emotional mentors? I have a few pastors and spiritual leaders that I truly respect and admire, and I make sure to listen to them whenever possible.
6. Look to fill others’ buckets – Everyone has a “bucket” and everyone has a need to have theirs filled. So get inventive and look for ways to fill up others. As said above, “when we treat others in a positive manner, we fill not only their buckets but ours as well.” This could be done in a million ways, even without costing you a penny:
*holding open the door for someone.
*saying thank you to the retail workers in the stores.
*taking the time to share appreciation for those who have helped you in your job search so far.
*volunteering in your community.
*shoveling your neighbors walkway.
*babysitting for a young couple, so they can go out.
*doing a bit of extra work around the house, to help out family.
*focusing on what you DO have and what you CAN do around you.
Granted, none of these will make the hard things go away. But they will help put things in perspective, and continue to give you some good hope to carry you into the new year.
Your challenge for December:
1) FILL UP YOUR CUP.
2) SEEK OUT OTHERS AND FILL THEIR CUPS.
How many cups can you fill this month?
Here are a few additional resources to help you along the way.
101 Inspired Ways to Refill Your Emotional Cup
Bucket Fillers (Children Resource, but still good!)