[BiscuitTin]

I'm supposed to look for a job. I know I'm supposed to look for a job. But I don't.

I live in Australia and the economy is doing relatively well compared to the United States, but again I don't look for work.

There is zero motivation . . .

I'm 31 years of age.

Anyone have any motivation tricks?

[Rhapsody]

Having a friend go out with you to look for a job might help and then you two could have lunch together.

May I ask? - is there any mental health issue or physical problems that keep you from working?

[BiscuitTin]

Not really. I have social anxiety but that shouldn't be a problem, I also have depression.

No physical disabilities.

[Rhapsody]

Then by all means... find that friend and get going.

[possum220]

Dear BiscuitTin,

As a fellow Aussie..... are you on a disability allowance? Or New Start? Either way finding volunteer work might help you back into the community. This may also help your depression and self esteem. Or even retraining at a Tafe would be good to add to your bag of tricks.

Centrelink will always be on your back if you are on Newstart. Having a job and money is always preferable to being stuck in the house and isolated, unless you are independently wealthy. Even then volunteering somewhere may be good.

Possum

[BiscuitTin]

Originally Posted by possum220

Dear BiscuitTin,

As a fellow Aussie..... are you on a disability allowance? Or New Start? Either way finding volunteer work might help you back into the community. This may also help your depression and self esteem. Or even retraining at a Tafe would be good to add to your bag of tricks.

Centrelink will always be on your back if you are on Newstart. Having a job and money is always preferable to being stuck in the house and isolated, unless you are independently wealthy. Even then volunteering somewhere may be good.

Possum

I'm from Melbourne.

Centrelink isn't on my back at the moment, I have an exemption, but I'm supposed to get that removed so that they will hassle me. Although even when they do, I just put apply for jobs through SEEK without any real effort and put those employer's names on the form.

I'm with CRS at the moment because of my anxiety/depression. So far they are no help, except for some career counselling and I am considering a few courses . . .my new case manager will be an experienced employment specialist and hopefully more able to goad me into getting a job . . .

Volunteering has always been suggested, but again. No motivation.

TAFE likewise has been suggested, but I haven't picked a course and am not motivated?

[BiscuitTin]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody

Then by all means... find that friend and get going.

I wouldn't know where to find any friends, plus i have social anxiety so its unlikely.

[possum220]

Dear BiscuitTin,

It does sound like you are really depressed. I hope you are seeing a GP to get help with that. No one can really goad you into anything that you don't want to do. If you are that lacking in motivation maybe get a blood test to rule out poor iron levels. Maybe medication might help. Maybe a case worker might help. Is there anything that you used to like doing?

Maybe you need to see a psychologist to figure out whats wrong. If you get a referral from your GP you can get 6 govt subsidized visits. Just a thought.

Sometimes motivation doesn't come wrapped up in a neat little box. Sometimes we just have to put one step in front of the other day by day and keep going. Sometimes its like the nike ad says - Just do it. Money would be a nice motivator.

Possum

[BiscuitTin]

Yeah I have a psychologist and all that, still can't get motivated.

She says pretty much what you do, that motivation will come after action, not before.

I'm going to get a new psychiatrist soon too, hopefully he will put me back on some medication.

[BiscuitTin]

I saw my employment specialist the other day, she explained that lack of motivation is quite common amongst the long-term unemployed. I feel less guilty now.

[BlueGuy]

Jobs can be both good and bad. You should think about it really well.

[Ellen Ritter, PhD]

No guilt -- finding a job and even getting motivated about it is really difficult and add in depression and it's really tough to get excited about the whole going to work each and every day thing if you are just applying for any job.

That being said, I don't know your background, but this might be a time to really figure out what you are passionate about, what brings you pleasure or might, when things get better. Let's say it's surfing -- are there jobs in the surfing industry that might interest you, whether in their clothing industry, or teaching, or working at a beach resort? If they aren't hiring now, would then let you do an internship? Is there a training program that you could do that would help you to move into something you would enjoy? Even if you have to get a part-time job while you are working on building your future life, knowing that you are in control and are working towards creating a life that is true to who you are and what you want to do in life is much easier than just jumping into the rat race doing something you don't want to do.

I wish you luck as this isn't hard but perhaps, having reached this point, you can find something that you .