For me personally, the only time I ever thought about things like a countdown was when I wasn't enjoying something or I was sad. I certainly felt this way during the earlier years of my education where I was annoyed and not having fun. It is hard to get a job, I've been trying myself lately and I know how frustrated one can feel when you seem to apply everywhere and not hear back. The stress is also considerable, especially from one's parents. Parents always put pressure on their children, whatever the age, so they can learn to become independent, get a job and provide for themselves. It's good that you don't feel that stress anymore, because it shows that things have improved, and that's definitely a step in the right direction.

I think the problem here lies that you still see things as a countdown. Do you do this on purpose or does it feel like some sort of natural reaction? I'm about to start University in september, so I can't really speak of what happens during then, but so far these past two years I've not felt the countdown effect. I've definitely enjoyed myself and I actually didn't want it to end. If you're thinking of things as a countdown, so that it ends and you can finally have it over with, it seems like you're not enjoying it. What is your goal in life? What do you want to do ultimately? I find that if I plan things, even loosely, it gives me something to work towards. It energises me and gives me faith. Do you feel like you enjoy what you do? You say you still count down the things you enjoy, but do you really enjoy it, or do you want to enjoy it. I know myself that there are things I've sort of forced myself to like, even when I knew deep down I didn't want to.

Even if you're not the planning type of person, just one night, when you have nothing much to do, sit down with a pad of paper and a pen and create a brainstorm. What are you aiming for in both the short term and long term. Find a job doing something you really like. If you can't do that straight away then plan for the steps in between. Like get a smaller job maybe doing something you might not want. Raise a bit of cash so that you can invest more money into what you'd love to do. If your passion in life doesn't bring in much money, then you might want to have a job that you like doing, or at least don't mind doing so that you can finance that hobby. There are bound to be pit stops along the way to a person's goal, but you have to make sure that the goal is also realistic, otherwise you'll never get there. That said, you should try to make the most of what you have and enjoy it, but don't over plan. It's good to have a rough outline of things, but if you plan it out too much, then you'll start to feel the countdown effect more and more. Sometimes it's better to see where life takes you, rather than just plan everything down to the tee.

It is sad when one's goal isn't fully achievable as a job, and it's just something we have to live with. But that doesn't mean that you have to have a dead-end job that you hate to pay the bills. Test out a career choice package on the computer in your library or download one free and see what sort of areas that would suggest you go into. It's important that you find the thing you want to do, and not just do it because you have to, but because you want to.

If you do enjoy your current work, then how does the countdown come into your head? Is it always on your mind, or does it just pop in sometimes? Perhaps you're stressed or anxious. Take some time off work maybe if you can afford it and just relax. Or have a stress ball that you play with during work to calm you down. I've found that if I think of a long term goal, the days seem so far away and it makes me feel worse. Try splitting things down into smaller chunks, and using this countdown as an advantage. This countdown is not necessarily bad, it only is if you think of it as bad. In effect it can help you plan better and manage your time wisely, which is all good.

I think to some extent everyone counts things down. It just depends on how hard you focus on it whether or not it annoys you. Try taking your mind off it. I know that's an easy thing to say, but I often find that when I'm having fun I don't tend to think about things like that and it really clears my mind. Go out with your friends and do social activities, or perhaps with your colleagues.

It's not easy to change one's attitude towards things, particularly if you're focusing on it so intently, which is why taking a break or doing social activities can really help. I think you have to try and take a more positive attitude towards things. When you wake up, think that you're going to do x and y, and not just do some work to get paid.

I'm sorry if I've rambled on, but I hope this has helped. If you want to talk more, feel free to PM me and we can have a discussion.

Posted at 1:47 pm on June 26, 2008