It’s Been a Tough Year.
This year has been… let’s say… different.
Summer is a perfect time to slow down and review what have you done before you start moving forward.
We all know how difficult it is to achieve our goals and how frustrating it is to see how years pass by without seeing that change in your personal or professional life.That’s why it is important to take control of your personal and professional live and review your goals regularly to keep focus on what’s important for you.
There is something unique about September. As the summer draws to a close and the new term begins, September often feels like the start of a new year, offering many possibilities.
Most of us come back rested and refreshed after a summer break and are ready to get back into a routine. There is a sense of enthusiasm, seeking opportunities and being ready to embrace new challenges.
So it makes sense to set aside some time to review, set goals and make a plan. In fact, spending time in early Summer is the ideal time before the busyness of the end of the year takes over. This will still leave you with plenty of time to achieve your goals. Here are some steps you can take.
Take time to review, plan and set goals
Review your goals
Start by reviewing progress made towards achieving any goals you’ve already set yourself. Consider what has worked well for you; list the skills you have developed, challenges met and any key areas of learning. You can then identify any gaps, note what has got in the way of progress and establish what you would like to achieve.
Re-establish and set new goals
Following a review, you will be aware of any goals which still need completing and identify any new ones. Make sure that you set SMART goals which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time measurable. This will help you to keep focused and achieve what you set out to accomplish.
Get organised
Being organised is the key to success. Map out the rest of the year ahead and plan what you need to do. Use planning tools to help you get organised such as year planners, digital calendars or bullet journals. Remember to list the resources and support you need to keep you on track.
Set effective work patterns
Think through how you can best structure your time to improve productivity. For example, by setting aside time for specific projects and making time for regular breaks.
Invest in your professional development
The start of an academic year brings new opportunities to engage in study or learn a new skill. Identify any areas you would like to develop and invest in yourself. This could be engaging with training, an online course or setting aside regular time to read professional journals.
Look after health, well-being and self-care
It is important to look after yourself, so make sure you include health, well-being and self-care in your review. Think about what you need to be healthy, and plan goals around fitness, well-being and self-care. For example, including time to exercise in your week, booking time for social activities and planning healthy meals.
Invest in your Career development
September brings new opportunities for your career development. September and January are the months when more vacancies are published so if you are thinking about making that step in your career, this is the time to get prepared!
Summary
Summer provides the ideal time to review, set goals and make a plan. By embracing the renewed energy and enthusiasm which Summer brings, you will be more organised and have a clear plan for the rest of the year. Why don’t you take some time to reflect and ensure that you end the year where you want to be.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.
All the best.
Nieves