Arb,

I agree to some extent about your concern of tedious content. It can get boring and you want something fresh. Regardless, I see lots of potential for these kinds of posts. It can give you new insight on ideas that you may have not thought of. While "5/7/10 things to do/say/act" posts can be tedious. It can sure give valuable information for those that are seeking it.

These "XX-things-to-do" lists seem to be getting very cookie cutter these days. It's the post to write when you have nothing to say - just my observation.

As far as finding a new job, I agree with Steve. Maybe it shouldn't be #1, it depends on your situation. If you previous job with high stress go-go-go, perhaps a little R&R is warranted. However finding a new job would be in MY top 5. Yes we all pay into the unemployment system and we are entitled to some of this back - after all it's a mandatory safety net - but at the same time those benefits run out and it would really stink if you ran out and you still didn't have a job.

Joshua,

These are all great ideas, I feel like anyone could benefit from them. I have a full-time job and all of these activities are things I strive to have more of in my life.

I understand what Steve is saying ... Maybe instead of building a business you can concentrate on building a brand. Start a blog and build an online presence that you can use to build a business later on.

Building the brand is the fun part. And it won't be as suffocating when you want to enjoy some of the more relaxing perks of unemployment.

@Deadhedge: I'm w/ you ... I like posts I can read quickly. Gives me more time to comment on what I like and dislike. And that's what blogs are all about.

Joshua,

I think your perspective is extremely refreshing, and I appreciate it.

I don't think "find a job" is missing from this list. Your title seemed to imply to me that looking for a job is an obvious task at hand (or you might not have used the word "unemployed"), and that your list was focusing on the positive aspects of a negative situation. To me, this post was not offering a "get out of work free" card and wasn't advocating unemployment, but instead advocating an awareness the world around you when you are unemployed.

In fact, by doing the things on this list, a candidate can become much more healthy, self-confident and *employable*--- as you say, they are things you do to stay on top of your game.

Thanks again for the post. It could just be me, but realistic optimism doesn't get old in my perspective.

Amazingly enough...he still had money to pay for socks, extra shorts AND a gym membership! Not to mention travel and build a business. I am single, no family (or kids), friend are as bad off if not worse since they have kids, and bascially no savings now that I have exhausted everything with being unemployed.
Now, if I had children, I could get more unemployment, a medical card, food stamps and more. What us hard working people who managed to avoid the child trap while being single AND yet function without family or friends to help?!

Here's one item you forgot:

Finding cheap or free medical care fot that chronic life-threatening condition that was covered by your former company's health care plan.

Build a brand. Yes, thank you for making that distinction. As I note the impending and temporary unemployment status sure to befall me in 3 weeks, I am working on a plan to build my brand. Actually a little bit of everything on the list, except sex, unfortunately. ;)

@JRandom42, if you have a business, consider joining the Freelancers Union, www.freelancersunion.org and getting health care through them.

Great list. So many of these things I have found excuses for not doing (gym, eat healthy, travel)due to my career. As time goes on and I realize that maybe my current job path isn't want to be doing, I hope in the next few months to make the most out of all of the things I have been neglecting!

Thanks for the thoughts

@Mammy, Thank you I appreciate the comment.

@Leandra, Yes building a brand is important. Sex is too, but that can be put on the back burner ;)

@Janey, Traveling doesn't have to be luxurious or even to exotic places. Explore Southern California. Have a staycation! I do that in Vegas once in a while and I find new places and things I have never seen before. Even though it may not be as glamorous, it is still fun to explore. I am sure there are places you have never been to in the Southern California area. Check them out, you might find a new spot.

@Sean, thanks for the response. I get stuck in that excuse mill sometimes. It can be hard to break. Try thinking about the worse things that will happen to you if you don't do something, that usually helps me get motivated. For example, if I don't go to the gym, I will be 1000 pounds. Or if I don't clean my house roaches and rats will infest it. Just thinking about that makes me cringe so I set out to do what I said I was going to do. Try it. Might help.

i'm an unemployee now.. and i so confused! thanks for ur usefull post.

Being employed has never been a problem in my lifetime. I chose a career path that would make it so...or so I thought. Herald the Millennium and this economic downturn where I find myself in a similar situation as you, Joshua. I'm not on the bottom-rung of Maslow's Hierarchy either, so have some time to consider my options and to take advantage of some valuable free time.

So, now what?

After the initial shock of, "OMG, I'm expendable!" and although getting re-employed is a priority, it has proven to be a challenge. Regardless, I am using much of the same methodology to regain employed status as I did while I was employed: This is a project and I'm approaching it as such. For example, I get up early every morning, take care of my personal business (like adding comments to blogs, etc...heh, heh), then tackle my priorities for the day, such as: 1)check email correspondence for possible job leads, 2) research top executives in the Top 10 companies I want to work for, 3)Reach out to those top executives and schedule an informational interview...etc, etc. This is just a short-list, the tip of the iceberg, so to speak in re-employment and only ONE of the bullet points on my list of things to do while unemployed.

Interested in what else I've been up to? Take a peek at my website. All the best to you and others in the search for that "dream job"...I think of it this way: options are open; possibilities are endless!

@Kaylin, I agree that everyone should at least take some time to travel. Like I said in the previous comments, it doesn't always have to be luxurious. Teaching English in a different country is a great way to travel. My friend did that a while ago and he got all his expenses paid to go to Korea. He even got housing subsidized because he was teaching. He did it for minimal cost and had a great experience while doing it too.

You may not necessarily be building career skills while doing it, but you are definitely experiencing something that most people will never do. Most people think you need to know the native language to teach English, however, it is almost always never the case. My friend didn't know how to speak Korean and they still hired him.

It's about keeping an open mind and seeing what is out there. Doors are open everywhere, you just got to find the one that is open.

Hi to all,
A good list, broadly. Your number one, "Build a Business", I see this like getting a new job, maybe independent. If there was a previus job, and a previus boss, build a winning business can be really satisfactory.

1.Build a Business, even if you failed, still a valuable experience.
2.Travel,no job no money,no travel~
3.Have more sex,....with who? your UNEMPLOYED GF/BF? not a good idea~
4.Exercise, great idea, exercise keep you active.
5.Spend More Time With Family Or Friends,another great idea,good for you 4ever!
6.Eat Healthy, same as 4.
7.Cook At Home, ...if you like.
8.Read More, and learn more,think more,prepare for your next job or your own business!
9.Try A New Hobby,just not a bad hobby.
10.Relax,yes,that's what you need.

hi, joshua, i agree with you now with 2.Travel.it's a kind of mild exercise for ppl who sit in front of their computer all day long.

@Charlie Please check back from time to time. I would appreciate that. I would not be begging Congress to extend Unemployment, because I have enough money saved up to last me 2 years after my unemployment is finished. I am living comfortably because I saved. I am not trying to brag, but am I really being faulted for being good with saving money and not having much debt?

It's not like I am not applying to jobs. I have applied to over 70 jobs and sent out my resume to people I network with. I have had several interviews and in the process of waiting for their decisions. So don't judge me based on what you read without knowing the whole story.

I understand people have different situations than I do. Some may have children and family situations that prevent them to even have a morsel of time for themselves. I understand that.

@RObyn omigosh, I'm appalled by the use of the term 'child trap.' I love my kids and they have provided some of the most rewarding moments of my life - it is unexplainable if you have not been there. And yes, I have worked the whole time, some at home and some outside, and have steadily climbed, had high-stress, demanding jobs. and um, yeah, you DON'T get more unemployment if you have kids!! It's based on your wages! That's welfare, darling, and that's not what this is about. And who WANTS to accept a handout? Get real.
But what i think Joshua is really trying to say here is that being unemployed is not the end of the world. Yes, you need to look for work. Basically, right now, anything. Unemployment does not last forever, we all know that (btw, we do not pay into UI, the employer does - when u make a claim, eventually their UI taxes go up, which is passed on via lower wages, so yes it does behoove u to find a job fast but in this economy? come on!). But these items on his list are much better than sitting around, getting depressed, worried, or not knowing what to do. These are all good things to do that will make u feel better about your situation. And when u feel better, it shows, in interviews, your attitude, everything. Be prepared for the long haul. I've been laid off four times, so this is cake to me. But I understand that some people find this extremely stressful. Getting a job in this climate takes time - 3-4 interviews sometimes for one position. Joshua is just trying to help.

With millions set to lose their unemployment checks, finding a mew job becomes supremely important. Everything else becomes irrelavent, if you have no income at all.