Typically, topics for my blogs come from clients, colleagues or professional writings. However, my inspiration this time came from friends sharing their good counsel as I prepare for my daughter's upcoming wedding.

"Keep perspective, remember what matters most, and have a great time", is the advice from those whose wisdom I value most."

It occurred to me that this message has relevance beyond wedding planning, to many of life's milestones, including the transition to new work.

Here's how this advice might apply to someone in the job search:

Keep perspective. Your world can become very small and narrowly focused when you are seeking a new job. Waiting for the invitation for an interview, a job offer, or a response to your résumé submission, you might become overly focused, even a bit obsessed about the prospective employer. Resist the tendency to conjure up reasons why he or she is not contacting you in a timely manner and shift your attention to those things over which you have some control. Remind yourself that while your job search is first and foremost on your mind, it is hardly the same for the employer.

Remember what matters most. When you begin to evaluate your job options, know what you most value. Consider past work experiences, what was lacking and what you appreciated as you formulate a list of "must haves". Recognize how work fits into your overall life and know what's important in order for your life to work well and feel somewhat balanced.

Have a great time. This may be a stretch when you are counting the weeks until your final paycheck or feel miserable in a job you want to leave. But, this advice may be just what you need in order to move forward in a better frame of mind. Take time to do something enjoyable, like walk the beach or have lunch with a friend. Don’t let a negative mindset or worrisome thoughts get the upper hand. Stay focused on the outcome you desire and engage in activities that will bolster your spirits.

If you've just returned from ten days enjoying the summer and doing your favorite things, you may not need to read this blog. However, if you are like most Americans, an extended restful vacation is more of a dream, and in reality, you have not taken adequate time to renew your spirit or rest your body.

It seems that many of us are getting into the habit of taking long weekends, or 3-4 consecutive days on average as our annual vacation. In addition to decreasing the number of our consecutive days off, some of us are also forfeiting earned annual vacation time—to the tune of four days a year. To make matters worse, many of us spend our minimal time off running around doing errands, completing frustrating and tiring home projects or visiting family, that for some, is anything but restful.

While time away from work can provide a respite from the demands of the workplace, research shows that a few days is not enough time for the body to fully restore itself from day to day work-related stress. It is only after seven consecutive days that the body decreases its signs of fighting stress.

When I meet with a client who shows signs of burnout or has trouble being clear on what it is they desire, I ask about their last vacation. It's not just when or how long I'm wanting to know, but also what—as in what did you do during your last vacation? Rarely do I hear stories of rest and renewal.

Sometimes the first step to moving ahead is to slow down. It makes sense: You think more clearly, resist negative impulses and gain momentum if you are well rested and enjoying a lighter side of life for a change.

So, go ahead and treat yourself to a real vacation that will renew you. Remember that it doesn't have to cost a fortune or require an elaborate scheme. It's the simple pleasures that delight the soul.

Perhaps you know it’s time for a job change, but you don’t know exactly what you want or where to look. If this is the case, you probably feel stuck. In order to move forward, you may need to shift your thinking from all the things you don’t know (e.g. what, where, when and how much) to what you are clear about.

Begin with a list of the reasons why you’re considering a change. Typically, this list will reflect what is missing in your current position or what is not to your liking. Next to each item on your list, write what you want in response to whatever is not working.
Be as specific as you can with each list.

Here are examples of items that might be on the lists:

What is not working: What I want instead:
Bored, no challenge. Opportunity to learn something new.

Commute is too long. Workplace within 30 minutes from home.

Boss that micro-manages me. Chance to work more independently.

Work is not meaningful to me. Feel like I make a difference.

Not using skills I enjoy. Want to use more skills that I like to use
(You need to know what these are.)

The information on your lists will help you in either of two ways in your effort to identify job options. It will assist you in creating questions to ask during job interviews to determine if the setting is a good match for you, or it will help you identify positions that share your employment criteria.

It is not necessary to have a job title in mind as you begin a job search. In fact, job titles can vary greatly from one employer to the next, so narrowing your search to one title could needlessly eliminate possibilities.

Identify the criteria that are important to you such as: key responsibilities and skills, work environment, compensation and benefits, values and mission, interests, and co-workers.
Rank-order these criteria as a step in identifying prospective employers.

Ask friends and colleagues what position or employer comes to mind as you share with them your criteria. When you hear something of interest to you, ask for the name of a person who either does this type of job or works in an organization where it is done.

At this point, you should be ready to begin networking around prospects in the marketplace that have the potential to meet your criteria.