Unless one has ‘walked in the shoes’ of the terminally unemployed it is hard to give advice on coping with the situation. I have not faced the situation directly, but have spent two decades of my career working on straight commission. Working on commission is about looking in the mirror each day knowing the person looking back at you is responsible for all failure and success – certainly a motivator. There have been bleak times that required a change in mind set and daily activity to move forward successfully so I’ll share a few lessons I’ve learned and hope there may be some value to others.

Down times are a part of life – accept it. You’ve heard it before but the truth is there are aspects of each day we get to enjoy if we take the time to appreciate them. That requires we clear out of our minds all the ‘should’ve, could’ve and what if’s’, life didn’t deal us. If you’re facing long-term unemployment keep in mind that the same situation has happened to millions of others in the past, present and will happen again in the future so accept that today is just another in life.

Write down what it takes to get by. Food for yourself and loved ones should come first. Figure who or where you can get help so that you can get by and don’t be too afraid or ashamed to ask. Do what you have to do.

Smile. This may be the most difficult to do depending on the circumstance. I remember a show on BBC where a reporter was visiting a tribal area in the desert of N. Africa. Recently the people had discovered empty 50 gallon oil cans and found that by cutting them, flattening and shaping them they replaced the walls of their canvas tents with a stronger material that protected them from the wind and sand. The reporter was visiting one of these homes where the mother of the house was surrounded by children and was cheerfully preparing supper on rugs. The reporter asked the lady of the house why she was so happy? The lady looked up surprised and after a moment said with all humility “because I have invited you into my beautiful home.” Our home is our castle no matter what or where, it is our attitude and smile that makes it what it is. It is very important we find this within ourselves at all times no matter the situation.

Surround yourself with like-minded people. Connect with people you know who are in your same situation and who are approaching it in the same way. And be honest, if friends from the past don’t know how to handle your current circumstance tell them what is happening and what you are doing about it.

Create a plan. OK, like you haven’t thought of that one…I know it just makes too much sense. But parts of our work world have changed and the position and level we have accomplished in the past may not be available to us today. So what do we do? Figure out what you want to do, don’t think necessarily about level of incomes form the past or what you need to make all ends meet now, just set a plan in place to get the important things handled. You have accomplished successfully in the past and will in the near future.

Go to work. And as career expert John Sumser mentioned in his article regarding, “Five Tools To Cope with Long-Term Unemployment“, in order to accomplish you must work. I read the Bible often and have always been moved by Jacob who took on the most menial jobs while in jail and through his attitude and hard work (and help from above) was able to become the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh. No matter what you do, do it well and if you have been out of work go to work. There are jobs available that may not be what we want to do right now but who knows – it could lead to something bigger. I’m reminded of a young CPA in Houston in the 70’s who was tired of his work and lost his job. Driving home to share his bad news with his family he noticed that the people in his neighborhood had to take their own trash to the dump. He convinced his father-in-law to help him start a trash service. They soon found they could buy small trash companies in different cities and towns to grow their business, and more importantly discovered that the loss of a job and need to pick up trash turned into the company Browning-Ferris Industries, better known today as Waste Management the multi-billion dollar global leader in waste management.

Who knows, the 100th week for one unemployed person may turn into a billion dollar idea and if not, maybe your experience will result in a better understanding and appreciation of this life and that my friend really is priceless.