No matter what the season or the stage of your career, balancing work and life successfully can always be challenging. \u00a0With the start of the new school year and fall just around the corner, this can be the season to renew and refresh your career goals.\u00a0 At the start of the summer, we focused on the need to find your high-heeled equilibrium during the summer months when attitudes relax.<\/p>\n
As July and August come to a close, work, school, volunteer and really everything seems to rev up to get back to business.\u00a0 This new attitude allows for a fresh start; however, you now have opportunity to hang onto the summer balance tools that may have worked especially well for you.<\/p>\n
For example, if being in nature was something you discovered as restorative this summer, make it a priority to continue to enjoy the outdoors.\u00a0 Maybe you found that being less tethered to your electronics was a new discovery that allowed you to switch gears, enjoy the moment and even sleep better.\u00a0 If you found that worked for you, keep it up!\u00a0 Summer often forces us to find ways to simplify.\u00a0 If you managed to feel positive effects from simplification, keep doing whatever worked for you.<\/p>\n
In short, let\u2019s approach your career guide for fall, like you would approach the excitement of starting the school year. \u00a0Remember what it was like to go back to school in the fall \u2013 everything was fresh and new.\u00a0 You might have been excited about your new school shoes or excited about making new friends, either way, remember what excited you about this time of year.<\/p>\n
If you were like me, you would wonder what new information you might learn in the coming year. \u00a0Just writing this column, I\u2019m reminded of that feeling.\u00a0 I\u2019m challenging myself and challenging you to think about what new, exciting opportunities and challenges might be facing you in your career and in your life. \u00a0Is there a new technology you want to learn?\u00a0 Do you need to be more assertive in the workplace?<\/p>\n
If new friends are something you looked forward to in the new school year, think about your workplace relationships, both internal and external.\u00a0 Take this opportunity to focus on new goals with your relationships.\u00a0 Maybe you\u2019ll decide to take lunch with a work friend or set your sights on developing a new mentor.\u00a0 Whatever the goal, fall can be the time to refresh your plans.<\/p>\n
When I was a kid going back to school in the fall, my parents took me to St. Louis to go shopping for new school clothes. \u00a0The brief family trip was full of tradition.\u00a0 We went to the zoo and a baseball game.\u00a0 The ritual provided the reset I needed.<\/p>\n
As an adult, you can decide that a fall refresh involves reinventing your image and\/or your wardrobe, deciding you need to update your style or sharpen your focus. \u00a0As a professional woman, monitoring your body language and the signals you send could be the reset you need.\u00a0 (Watch for a more extensive conversation about body language and what it transmits in a future issue.)<\/p>\n
As the regular school\/academic year calendar pace picks back up, whether you have children at home or not, take advantage of this opportunity to renew and refresh with the same excitement you had as the new school year started in the fall. \u00a0Whether you\u2019re wearing your high-heels or your fuzzy slippers, take time to keep what worked for you in the summer and sharpen your career focus to best suit your own personal needs.<\/p>\n