So Labor Day weekend has come and gone. How does it make you feel? Do you miss summer already or are you looking forward to the last 4 months of the year?
I, for one, am always happy that summer is over and that September marks the start of cooler temperatures, changing colors and fewer mosquitoes (they were REALLY bad this summer!) I feel like Labor Day offers that last bit of relaxation, fun and freedom before I feel inclined to take a look at my goals. Here is an easy Labor Day career assessment that I take part in every year:
- What do I want for myself and my career for the rest of the year?
- What can I realistically accomplish and what is better to delete from my list?
- How can I meet my goals and what specific actions do I need to take to make sure I reach them?
This Labor Day exercise is not only necessary for proactively managing your career, it is also extremely gratifying. Are you looking for a new job? Then examining your career strategy and how it has been working so far is imperative because when the holidays arrive, there's not much hiring going on. Are you unemployed? Same thought process applies. Are you dissatisfied with the job or career you have? Seriously, why wait? I know plenty of people who think, "Oh, the holidays are coming and I'll just wait until next year to get a jump on changing my life". Um, no. Wrong idea entirely since you will be just as miserable although more behind the 8 ball than ever when you decide 2010 is the right time to make a move. So look at your goals, and don't be too hard on yourself. 4 months is not a whole lot of time, but what can you realistically do to change your circumstances? Start with writing it down, or, finding that old to do list and shaping your goals from there. If you start procrastinating just think of it as an exercise program: the more you do it, the better you will feel about both yourself and your career.
