By Julie Moberly, M.Ed.

Staying focused and positive can be difficult during a protracted job search, when the long hours of free time can lead to feelings of isolation and ineffectiveness. With some practical strategies, however, creating a more positive approach is not only more enjoyable, it is also more effective. For help combating procrastination, disorganization and staying positive, the list of twelve strategies below will help any job seeker with ideas for better time management, office organization, professional networking, and a greater sense of well-being.

1. Practice good time management

Every Sunday afternoon, allocate a half hour to identify job-hunting goals for the week ahead. Start with major goals, like preparing for an interview or writing a résumé, then move on to smaller tasks like researching job banks, making phone calls and writing cover letters. Plan to work on the job search for a designated number of hours every day, and plan to return unrelated phone calls and emails after this time. The old adage still rings true: finding a job is a job, so making job-hunting a daily part of your routine will find you in a new position that much sooner.

2. Set specific, measurable goals

For best results, start with a well-defined job description of the position you are seeking. Each day, commit to specific actions that will move you closer to that goal. For example, make a daily plan to » Read more: Job Search Tips: Twelve Tips for Staying Focused and Positive