Is the military-to-civilian career search process getting you down? Try these 10 easy steps and make optimism a daily habit.

All habits are formed through a process called context-dependent repetition, a term describing how an action executed repeatedly in a specific environment (or context) eventually becomes a subconscious habit. The ability for the mind to develop habits is highly efficient; if our frequent behaviors weren't automated a conscious effort would be required for even the most mundane tasks.

When you intentionally create a habit a 3-step process is put into effect.

First, you decide an action has a benefit and decide to execute that action repetitively. Second, you make no exceptions or excuses in executing the action, understanding that every repetition must be executed.

Finally, once the habit has been established – the mind will no longer require conscious oversight for the action to be initiated – you reinforce that habit with a reward.

Even though optimism is a non-physical function of the mind, there are actions transitioning veterans can take in the real world that will serve to make that mindset more sustainable. Viewed in isolation, these 10 actions seem ridiculously simple and won’t be immediately recognized as a link to optimism.

Developed together, their combined benefit emerges and the reward for making these actions habitual is a higher probability of success.

1. Wake up early. If you claim not to be a “morning person” this might make you cringe, but it’s no coincidence the majority of successful people start their day early. Our minds are hardwired to do this and our energy and creativity peak in the morning. Rising early also keeps you ahead of the time management curve and affords you the chance plan and to be in control of your day. Most veterans I know ace this "O'Dark Early" requirement without even trying.

2. Plan your “To Do” list. You know there are things that must be accomplished; plan to do them. List only the critical items and ruthlessly cut out those tasks that are secondary. If you’re like most people, review the completed list and cut it in half. Trying to accomplish all but the most critical tasks sets an unrealistic expectation and creates a probability of failure. The less important items can be fit in as time allows.

3. Take time to be well-groomed. The reality is that people initially judge us based on our appearance; understand that and groom accordingly. In addition to projecting a professional appearance, you have to admit that when you look good you feel good. This also presupposes that if you allow time for proper grooming, you’re managing time instead of time managing you.

4. Make one new contact every day. Your professional life will always bring you into contact with new people regardless of your environment. Take advantage of this exposure and make it a point to develop one new professional contact every day. Just remember it’s “who you know,” and expanding your network of contacts greatly increases the probably of success.

5. Don’t multitask. You might believe executing 10 tasks at once makes you a high-performance entrepreneur. In fact, it only allows you to dedicate a small fraction of your focus to critical tasks that require your 100% attention. Not only will the quality of your work product suffer – a direct reflection on you – the chance of successfully completing everything is unlikely. That will have a negative impact on your self-esteem and sense of control.

6. Always be punctual. We all know the standard of punctuality from our military service: “If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re 5 minutes late.” Punctuality is not only a social courtesy; it’s a real-world demonstration of your priorities and professional responsibility.

7. Finish tough jobs first. Everyone has a job on their “to do” list that they dread, a task that keeps getting pushed off until the last possible minute. Identify this task and finish it first. First thing in the morning is the best time to do it and completing the difficult task will boost your sense of self-esteem, empowerment and control.

8. Continually ask for feedback. Make it a scheduled part of your day to ask for feedback at least 3 times from those you come into contact with continually throughout your day. This will not only break down barriers and keep you in the information loop, it will also facilitate your professional image as someone who genuinely cares about the opinions of others.

9. Track your daily progress. At the end of each day, take 15 minutes to actively review your accomplishments. If you succeeded, acknowledge the victory and cross the task off the list. If you fell short, ascertain why and learn a lesson from the experience. A daily review will also prepare you in planning for your next day without being caught unaware.

10. Wind down for 30 minutes. Adequate sleep is crucial to your performance, and nothing disrupts sleep patterns more than a brain that will not “shut off.” Thirty minutes prior to bed, turn of the TV and computer and allow your mind to rest; something it will not do if it stays engaged with its environment. Spending quiet time in solitude considering what lays ahead tomorrow is a great way to decompress and shut the mind down for the night.

On their face, these habits might seem to be best practices for productivity; they are. However, their value extends well beyond the obvious. Collectively these habits will increase your self-esteem, sense of empowerment and control over your environment – while at the same time reducing stress, anxiety and uncertainty – making them critical to your career transition strategy.

When our transitioning veterans can be successful and optimistic, I'd call that MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.