Summer presents a perfect opportunity to unwind, relax, and immerse yourself in a good book. While beach reads and thrillers may dominate summer reading lists, this season is also a great time to focus on your career goals and professional development. Here’s why we recommend taking to some this summer to work on advancing your career:
1. Reflect and Refocus: Summer provides a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, allowing you to pause, reflect, and reassess your career path. We encourage you to take this time to evaluate your current job satisfaction as well as your strengths, weaknesses, and long-term aspirations. Use introspective exercises and career assessments to gain clarity on where you want to go next in your career journey. For example, our “Identify Your Ideal Career Workbook” is built around our trademarked Ideal Career Model, which shows you the 8 things you must consider in order to determine your ideal career path. View sample pages here.
2. Expand Your Knowledge: Summer reading offers an opportunity to dive into topics relevant to your industry, profession, or desired career path. Whether it’s leadership, technology, or personal development, there’s a wide variety of books available to broaden your knowledge and expertise. Choose books that align with your career goals and interests, and commit to learning something new that can enhance your skills and capabilities.
3. Set SMART Goals: With a clearer understanding of your career direction and newfound knowledge from your summer reading, take the time to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for your professional development. Break down your goals into actionable steps and create a plan to work towards them over the coming months. For example, our workbook provides space for you to reflect and journal on your learnings and goals you would like to set for yourself. Summer provides a focused timeframe to make progress towards your career aspirations.
4. Network and Connect: Summer is a great time to expand your professional network and connect with like-minded individuals in your field. Attend industry events, conferences, or networking mixers to meet new people, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships. Use your summer reading as conversation starters and leverage these opportunities to seek mentorship, guidance, or collaboration on your career goals.
5. Recharge and Reenergize: Finally, don’t forget to take time this summer to simply relax! Taking breaks, spending time outdoors, and engaging in leisure activities can help reduce stress, boost creativity, and improve overall well-being. Use this time to recharge your batteries and return to your career goals with renewed focus and energy.
Summer reading is more than fictional worlds or beachside relaxation—it’s also a valuable opportunity to invest in your professional growth and development. By leveraging the summer months to reflect, learn, set goals, network, and recharge, you can take significant strides towards advancing your career and achieving your long-term aspirations. So grab a book (get your copy of our workbook here), find a cozy spot in the sun, and let your summer reading journey begin!
Need more support with your career goals this summer? Join our $25/month online career coaching group.
