The summer means the sun stays out later than before, and pools are full of splashing kids. But that has little effect on the working professional — the 9-5 workday still stands during the summer months. While this may sound disappointing, the possibilities are endless with a little goal setting.
Do you remember having summer assignments as a kid? Each year, I had to read a book, then write a report or design a project. That was my designated goal for the summer, and adults have them, too.
During each phase of life, we unknowingly have a goal, whether it's to graduate college, gain a well-paying job or start a family. As life becomes more and more busy, it's easy to forget our personal goals.
It's always important to explore and grow as an individual to help you advance as a professional. Goal setting gives individuals the opportunity to discover where and who they want to be.
The summer may have already begun, but there's still time to advance personally and professionally. Here are a few summer goals worth achieving before the fall.
1. Journey outside of your comfort zone
Create a summer goal to step out of your comfort zone. A great way to grow past what only makes you comfortable is to say yes. Instead of turning away from events that are different but worthwhile, take the time to say yes and try something you may have never done before. Make it a goal to shrink your comfort zone and enjoy opportunities that may help you grow altogether.
2. Limit usage of electronics
During the summer, limit the amount of time spent using electronics and spend more time on activities. Create a goal of only watching television or using social media during the afternoon. This will give you more time to spend with friends, enjoy the outdoors or work toward other goals. The summer is too beautiful to be enjoyed behind electronic devices.
3. Conquer your bucket list
A bucket list involves activities you would like to do before you die (i.e., kick the bucket). Use the summer to accomplish at least one item on your bucket list. Go skydiving, swim with sharks or conquer any of your fears. There's no time like the present, and the summer is an opportunity to live with no regrets.
4. Enjoy a vacation
Set a goal for at least one true vacation away from the office with no involvement in business. This could be a weekend vacation or extended period — long enough for you to relax. The summer season is a great time for this as the weather presents many getaway options, and clients or associates are more understanding because they're also vacationing. Ironically, time away from the office is a stress-relieving tool that helps you perform your best in the office.
5. Learn about yourself
It may seem like a difficult task, but set a goal of learning at least one thing about yourself before the summer ends. Look beyond the surface of what makes you feel happy, sad, angry or encouraged. Next, establish a personal development goal. This is something for you to begin working toward long-term, such as conquering self-doubt or limiting what you take personally. This can be helpful in strengthening your professional persona and improve business practices.
6. Take advantage of summer
Enjoy as much of the summer as you can — that's the goal. The summer concerts, festivals, outdoor movies or pure experiences that only the summer can present. As a professional, networking during events has become second nature, but use the summer to enjoy each event wholeheartedly. Don't worry about creating a game plan, simply have fun. This could help you create a new networking strategy or reintroduce you to the fun side of socializing.
7. Save money
The ability to save money goes hand-in-hand with making money to plan for the future. Use the summer to explore the multiple ways to save and grow your money. A friend set a summer goal of adding 25 percent more to her savings each month. The summer also presents opportunities to increase savings by establishing a second source of income. Overall, your summer financial goals will set the framework for how you enjoy the fall and end-of-the-year holidays.
8. Support your community
The summer is a great opportunity to learn about efforts in your own community and find a cause that resonates with you. If the call to action speaks to you, you're more likely to offer long-term support. Research community projects that interest you, and volunteer during the summer at least once. Also, search for small businesses in your area. As a professional, it's a great opportunity to connect with budding entrepreneurs and lend support wherever you feel.
Similar to a New Year's resolution, summer goals establish benchmarks for yearly achievement. Without goals, it becomes easy to remain stagnant and unaware of ways to improve yourself.
Goal setting allows individuals to determine what they would like to achieve and gradually make steps toward a desired target. Unlike any other season, summer harnesses power to help you grow personally and thrive professionally once you set your sights on a target.
