Stop Dreaming About Making a Career Change

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Dream vs PlanHow many times have you dreamed of doing something different with your career? Your life?

You stare out the window while the computer pings new messages. The office buzzes with sounds while your mind wanders as you think, “What if..?”

If I’ve learned one thing from my life and career so far, it’s that dreams are just that: dreams.

Nothing’s going to happen unless we take the steps to make it happen.

I can hear you now – or maybe it’s the voices in your head – crying some version of, “But how?”

Quite frankly, I don’t know how. That’s because I don’t know exactly what your dreaming about.

What I do know is this: there are endless possibilities out there for all of us, just waiting to happen. Pursuing these possibilities takes a few steps. Specifically, we need a plan to pursue our dreams. Or to see if it’s possible for the dream to become a reality.

Assuming you have a dream you want to pursue, consider the following:

Step 1:  Research your dream

For example, if you want to become a dog walker for a living, research the competition in your area. Visit with them. Determine the pay scale. Is the market saturated with dog walkers? Is the wage realistic for full-time work or is this a part-time gig?

Step 2: Develop a business plan

This includes any funding you might need, creative/marketing plans, legal work, etc.  Include metrics for success and time frames for accomplishing your goals.

Step 3: Share your plan with a TRUSTED partner

Not someone you just met at a bar who claims to know something about business. This person should be someone you know well and trust implicitly. Someone who also knows you very well, what you excel at, and what you don’t.  This person needs to provide constructive criticism and ideas and be strong enough to say, “No, this is not a good idea”.  You need to be strong enough to hear what this person has to say.

Step 4: Gain the support of your spouse/partner

Taking a leap of faith and leaving a salaried position, or taking on a part-time role affects the family. It’s always better if everyone is on board.

Step 5: Have an exit strategy; a Plan B.

What will you do if things don’t work out or you decide the “dream” is not what you expected?

Bottom line: I’m a firm believer in trying something new, especially when it comes to a well-thought-out career move.  So, wake-up, make a plan, and give it your best shot to turn your dream career into a reality.

No regrets, right?

How Santa Found His Side Hustle

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IMG_4867Have you ever wondered how Santa got his job?

I mean, was it his career dream to always wear a red suit and spend countless hours listening to children?

Or, as a young man, did Santa have different career aspirations?

Recently I’ve wondered if Santa started his gig – his “passion job”, if you will – as a side hustle.

That’s how many of us entrepreneurs got started, working a side-hustle until we could finally step away from the 9-5 career to pursue our passion full-time.

I spend a lot time talking about pursuing your passion with clients, students, and colleagues. Everyone has similar questions when it comes to following their dreams.

  • “How do I find my passion?”
  • “When do you know it’s the right time to switch from part-time to full-time?”
  • “What if I don’t know yet what I really want to do?”

These are questions every entrepreneur faces.

Even Santa, I assumed.

In a bit of a Christmas Miracle, I had the opportunity to meet with Santa over breakfast to talk about careers, and following your passion.

Santa was gracious and fun and open and honest, sharing so much about his career and advice to others.

A little about Santa, in case you didn’t know: AKA, Carl Anderson, a licensed psychologist from Austin, Texas.  This is his 34th year portraying Santa; his 28th year as Santa at NorthPark Center in Dallas. He’s co-authored a book, “All I Want For Christmas Is…”, a collection of letters by children to Santa.  A man of many talents, he’s also a professional speaker, monologist, and storyteller.   

Here’s Part 1 of my conversation with Santa:

Thanks for meeting me!

My pleasure.

For readers/clients who don’t know your story: aside from your uncanny resemblance to almost every known image of St. Nick, did you always aspire to be Santa? To work in this role?

I’ve always been amused that others saw the resemblance. Clearly the implications were there. Yet I didn’t set out to become Santa Claus.

My career goal – which I achieved – was to be a psychologist, earning degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. (Note: The fact that this interviewer is a die-hard Aggie was not an issue for Santa. Thank goodness!)

My professional psychology experience includes working in the Counseling Center at UT, as well as in Drug and Alcohol Abuse programs.  I’m also an adjunct professor at UT, teaching as needed.

How, then, did this Santa Side Hustle come about? 

As a graduate student I was always looking for jobs to make ends meet, even driving a bus. One Day I saw an ad that said, “White hair, rosy red cheeks, eyes that twinkle”.  Didn’t say, “Santa”, but clearly that’s what they wanted.

When I first called, I was told they were done looking. I interviewed anyway, and their interest was only lukewarm.  Once we started talking, they became so taken with my “natural look” they offered me a job.  Understand that at the time I was unique – there weren’t many natural-looking Santa’s around.

Were there other opportunities to embrace Santa in your career or even as a Side Hustle?

As I mentioned earlier, I was amused by my resemblance (which comes naturally from my Swedish father) and other’s fascination with it.  At one point, Radio Shack cast me as Santa for their holiday advertising.

I was intrigued enough that I decided to write my dissertation on “Children and Santa: What Happens When They No Longer Believe”.  I started working in children’s theater and even storytelling, which blends well with the Santa work.

When did you really consider embracing the role of Santa as more than just a job to make extra money?

I was walking across a downtown street, wearing regular clothes. A group of preschool children were walking in the same crosswalk towards me, holding onto a knotted rope for safety.  One of them looked at me, pointed and exclaimed, “Santa!”  They all dropped the rope and ran to me, hugging my legs.  At that point I realized this Santa thing might be something bigger that I imagined.

How did you manage your full-time job as a psychologist with your Santa Side Hustle, which became your passion?

My work as a psychologist – something I enjoyed – was as a counselor at places that understood my role as Santa. They were flexible with my holiday schedule, which allowed me to do both.

How did your experience as a psychologist prepare you to be a great Santa?

It prepared me in so many ways! It honed my listening skills and taught me to quickly understand a situation with short interaction with a client.  Having empathy and being intuitive is what drew me to psychology; it’s naturally who I am. These are also skills that I rely on as Santa – I have only a few minutes with each child to assess their situation, understand their needs/wants, and provide feedback that, hopefully, makes them walk away with a smile.

It’s difficult to respond sometimes, as Santa. You don’t want to disappoint, you know? Psychology helps me understand how to answer the tough questions.

***

And just like that, our time was up.  Santa had to get ready for Story Time, one of his favorite parts of his job.

That had to be the most fun I’ve ever had during an interview. With great information we can all use.

Thanks to Santa, I was reminded that sometimes the best jobs are right in front of us, if we are willing to embrace them.

Stay tuned for more from my conversation with Santa!

 

Note: This conversation was not recorded, therefore quotes attributed to Santa/Carl are based on my notes and memory, and may not be 100% accurate.

Don’t Arrange the Furniture Before the Sale is Final

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livingroom-1032733_1280Realtors will tell prospective buyers, “Don’t arrange the furniture before the sale is final”.

As a career coach, I tell my clients the same thing. Let me explain.

What it means, in real estate terms, is never fall so in love with a house that you are mentally arranging your furniture before you own the place.

If you’ve ever searched for a new house or apartment, you understand the feeling you get when you find what appears to be the perfect new home.

It’s fun to think of putting the TV on this wall, artwork over here, the couch over there. Closing your eyes, you imagine all the parties you’ll throw. It’s so exciting to think of your future in the new house!

What harm is there, really, with getting so pumped about a new house?

For one, the deal could fall through. You need to have your game face on and be prepared to walk away. If you’re too caught up in the fantasy, you may end up paying more than you should.

Negotiating a job offer is similar to buying a new house. When we find an opportunity that we think is “the one” we start to “arrange the furniture”.

We envision ourselves in the job, driving to the office, sitting at the desk, engaging in projects and being part of the team. We think so far ahead that we fantasize about paychecks and vacation time. There may even be feelings of relief that the job search is over.

It’s good to be excited about a job opportunity. Yet we need to keep our minds sharp, take a giant step back and remember that we don’t actually have the job yet. Nothing is signed.

Humbling as it is, the company may offer the job to another candidate.

If we do get an offer, things can change and it may not be exactly what we hoped for, or at all like the opportunity first presented to us. We should maintain complete objectivity while negotiating the best possible agreement. And be prepared to walk away in the rare instance that it’s really not right.

When we mentally “arrange the furniture”, becoming so engaged that we see ourselves sitting at the desk, we tend to lose our negotiating edge. We may agree to points that otherwise would give us reason to pause, such as salary or vacation, or even the job responsibilities itself, simply out of fear that we may lose the opportunity if we don’t acquiesce to their demands.

Keep your game face on until the ink is dry and you are happy with the terms of the agreement.

Then – and only then – start arranging the furniture, mentally hanging pictures in your new office.

6 Reasons to Be Thankful for Your Crappy Job

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sitting on couch feet-932346_1920

Ever feel stuck in your job?

Maybe you thought it was your “dream job” and it’s turned out to be more like a nightmare.  Perhaps the work you thought would be interesting is more than a little boring, similar to watching paint dry.  The promise of a fast track to promotion is more like life in the slow lane, with grandma behind the wheel.

We’ve all been there.  And it’s not fun.

Yet even under the most trying of circumstances, there are still things to be thankful for.  We learn best in the worst situations.

Here are 6 reasons to be thankful for your crappy job:

  1. You Have a Job.  Totally understand that you might be sick of hearing this, yet it’s important to step away from the pity-party and understand how important this really is. You.Have.A. Job.  And it pays money.  Those who have visited the Land of Layoff understand how valuable it is to have even a not-so-good job.  You have two options: develop an exit strategy, including networking and interviewing to find a better job, or put on a happy face and stay put. Your choice.
  2. Resume Builder. Even crappy jobs provide opportunities to build your skills and your resume.  Take advantage of all chances to learn something new.  If the company offers classes on-site or will pay to further your education, take advantage.  Additional skills and education will come in handy whenever you do decide to leave the company.
  3. Food. At any office there’s usually birthday cake or holiday treats, either sent by vendors or brought in by co-workers. Take advantage!  Trust me, you will miss free food if you ever decide to work from home, or heaven-forbid, your number comes up during a lay-off.
  4. Colleagues and Networking.   Even if you’re not BFFs with your work-mates, they may be valuable network connections for you in the future.  Establish professional relationships with some of your colleagues and connect on LinkedIn.  Do it now before you decide to leave the company. You never know who might be able to help you land a great job down the road.
  5. Paid Vacation and Other Benefits.  A no-brainer.  Those who are self-employed know this is huge.  Be thankful for things like paid vacations, 401Ks, health insurance, and any other benefit your employer throws your way.
  6. Reason to Get Up in the Morning. Sure, it’s fun to dream about staying home in your jammies all day.  Reality is, it gets old after, oh, two days. For many, our jobs – even if they are crappy – provide the main reason to get up and interact with others vs. retreating into the world of bad TV.  Face it; if you want to find a new opportunity or simply be productive, you’re going to have to leave the house at some point.

You may feel like you have a crappy job and I feel your pain, having been there before myself. Just remember that even the worst jobs are blessings.

The Five Minute Resume Update

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Resume meme

When was the last time you updated your resume?

Some of us keep an always-updated resume close at hand. Many of us – more than likely, the majority of us – update only on occasion, usually when we need the resume for a job interview.

Updating a resume can be time consuming.  In our busy lives, who has time to creatively weave a great one or two page document about our achievements?  It’s not something that any of us truly like to do either.

“If we could only find time, then we would update our resumes”, we tell ourselves.  Somehow I don’t believe us.

What’s the old saying: How do you boil the ocean? One cup at a time.

For anyone who has not updated their resume in at least a year, all it takes is five minutes to make a quick review and resume update.

The Five Minute Resume Update

  1. Review the top of your resume, including your name and contact information. Your name should be in larger font than the rest of the information. Remove your street address; include city and state only. List one phone number; no need to label it as “Cell” or “Home”. Be sure to include any social media links such as LinkedIn or your website.
  2. Review your opening statement. If it still says something like “Seeking a position as….” time for a change. This statement should tell the reader who you are and what you want to do. Example: Marketing Director with proven success integrating social media and traditional marketing campaigns to drive consumer traffic.
  3. Review the end of your resume. Remove any reference to college GPA and related activities, personal factoids, including hobbies or family information, and the phrase “references available upon request”. If you are forty or older, time to remove college graduation dates as well.

That’s it; The Five Minute Resume Update. It’s not an overhaul by any means. But it gets us started and moving in the right direction.

Decision Time: What To Do With Multiple Job Offers

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You’ve been interviewing for months with what seems likes a zillion companies and now it looks like you are a final candidate for two great positions.  You’ve got your fingers and toes crossed that one of them turns into a bona-fide offer of employment.

Both jobs are interesting, both offer similar types of work and both are located in the same area of town so the commute will be good.  It appears that both have a great corporate culture and you clicked with the hiring manager as well as team members.  No red flags that you have identified.

In other words, either would be a good job.

What’s the old saying? “When it rains, it pours.” Much to your surprise, BOTH companies make you an offer!

Once you’ve calmed down after high-fiving everyone in the neighborhood, at the grocery store and at the gym, reality comes crashing in.  How do you decide what to do with multiple job offers?  Especially since both companies are pretty much offering the same opportunity.

Wait; they aren’t.  One company is offering a much greater compensation package then the other one. Higher salary, signing bonus and other perks.

So what’s a job seeker to do?

If – and this is a big IF – both offers are truly apples-to-apples, then higher compensation may win out.

But rarely are two offers truly an apples-to-apples comparison.  There are usually a few differences that need to be looked at closely to help determine which job is the right job at this particular point in your career.

Deciding on an offer is different for every job seeker.  Certain things may be more important to me than they are to you, so we each need to decide for ourselves.

Here are a few ways to help:

  • Know what’s important to you.  Prior to a job search, write down your top ten career goals.  Do the same thing for your personal life (lifestyle goals).  See how those two lists intersect.  You want to make sure the job allows you to fulfill some of your lifestyle goals; if it doesn’t you will not be happy in the long run.  (If you did not do this exercise prior to job search, do it now.)
  • What are you trying to accomplish with this new job?  Is it learning a new skill and moving up in the company?  Job stability?  Benefits? Is it all about the cash?  Answering those questions will help you make an informed decision because one company will probably fulfill your needs better than the other.
  • Know Your Strengths. Hopefully you only interviewed for jobs that played to your strengths. Sometimes, though, we discover during the interview process that the job has more layers to it and maybe it’s not exactly as outlined in the job description. Make sure the job you choose really does match your strengths.
  • Stage in Life.  If you’re a new college graduate with few responsibilities, it’s much easier to take a job that requires long hours and lots of travel than someone with a family.  If you’re nearing retirement you may trade off salary for work that is more personally fulfilling.  Again, the “career goals vs. lifestyle goals” exercise comes in handy here.

Above all, put everything together. Remember the people you met, the corporate culture, the feeling you had when you left the interview, and how you feel now about the job itself.  If the compensation packages were equal, which one gets you most excited?

Again, deciding on a job offer is different for each person.  No matter what, don’t get so bogged down in the minutia of decision making that it takes the fun out of the moment.  Remember how great it is to have even one offer, much less multiple offers!

Rookie Networking Mistakes

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Oops! Road Sign

One thing that career veterans have in common with college students or recent graduates is that we were, at one time, networking rookies.

Like rookies at pro football training camp, students must learn how to network at corporate events with executives, which is somewhat different than networking or meeting people at college mixers.

As in any sport, rookies tend to make mistakes, and that’s okay. The important thing is to learn from them.

The key to networking is preparation and practice. Makes a world of difference.  Remembering to breathe helps too.

Avoid these Rookie Networking Mistakes:

 

M.C. STAMMERER

“I, um – ah –ya, know, like, I was wondering about, like your work, like, what do you do?” “Like?”

Suggestion: Leave, like, maybe, some of those, um, words out, ya know.

Take time to prepare before you attend a networking event.  Remember, this is similar to meeting anyone new: introduce yourself, have questions to ask and topics to discuss; have your thirty- second “elevator pitch” ready.  Act interested in what people have to say.

This is not about you finding an internship or job this minute. This is about building a relationship or connection that could lead to a job prospect down the road.

 

MR. FLY-BY-THE-SEAT-OF-MY-PANTS

Rookie: “I’m studying photography so I want an internship with a ‘good’ photographer.”

Executive: “What kind of photography would you like to do?”

Rookie: “I don’t care. I just want an internship. “

Of course you care! At least you should.

By literally saying, “I don’t care”, if you’re really lucky you may find yourself scrubbing toilets for the “good” photographer while he personally works with the student who said they have a passion to learn how to light a subject correctly.

An internship is a two to three month opportunity to get experience with no strings attached. This does not have to be the work that defines you for the next thirty years.  Pick one or two areas of interest and speak up!

“I really enjoy photographing people and their animals. I would also like to learn more about the proper way to use lighting, both inside and outside”.  

I suspect that’s what the “good” photographer wants to hear.

This is your career, your life, you’re talking about. If you don’t care, no one else will.

 

PLAY DEFENSIVE TACKLE

This should go without saying but I’ve had this happen to me a few times.

Never criticize the employer of someone you just met. Never criticize a policy, an advertisement, the CEO, not one thing.

First, that person may be responsible for what you just criticized. And besides, you’ve now just put them on the defensive when you should be trying to win them over.

Smooth; real smooth.

 

MY CLOTHES WERE DIRTY SO I’M WEARING MY PJ’S

I’m not sure how many more times I can write about this; it’s driving me crazy because this should be obvious. At each event I attend there is at least one person that has yet to receive the memo.

Dress appropriately for a business networking event.

It’s simple, people! Iron your clothes. Brush your hair. Tuck in your shirt. Put on a belt. Wear shoes, not rubber flip flops.  Slacks, not shorts.

Jackets and ties are not required but concert t-shirts are a “no”. Clean, polished shoes. And ladies, if you can’t walk well in those high-heels, opt for something lower.

Please. I’m begging you.

 

WE ARE EXECUTIVES, NOT PSYCHICS

Business networking events are interesting. Career veterans are like politicians working the room, smiling, shaking hands, passing out business cards.

Rookies are shuffling their feet with their heads down or maybe standing quietly on the sidelines like wallflowers.

If I’m at an event with rookies, I generally introduce myself first and present my business card as sort of an ice-breaker. I get it; rookies are nervous.  I remember because I was a rookie at one time.

Yet we career veterans can only hold the conversation for so long, trying to guess the questions rookies want to ask us. It really helps if rookies are prepared for networking with a list of questions to ask; they can actually refer to the list if they need to.  It makes for a much more productive conversation for everyone.we don’t mind helping.

We just can’t read your mind.

 

IT’S NETWORKING; NOT INSTANT GRATIFICATION

Remember that networking is about building a relationship, something that usually takes time. We meet people at school, at work, through church and volunteer organizations or social activities, and over time we learn about each other.

A clear rookie networking mistake is when someone meets me for the first time, we’ve barely introduced ourselves, and the first question they ask is, “Do you know of any jobs for me?”

No, I don’t; we’ve just met and I know nothing about you.

Take time to know me and what it is that I do. Tell me about yourself and what you do or want to do. Let that sit for a while.  Let’s exchange business cards and stay connected on LinkedIn.

Then, when you see a job that interests you and realize that I have a connection at that company, ask me to make an introduction.

Now that’s networking.

The Most Difficult Part of Networking Is Leaving The House

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business cards

“Networking group meets at 11:30; see you there!” 

I stared at the email and contemplated my options.  Should I go to the one-hour networking lunch or stay home and concentrate on my to-do list?

The easy choice was to stay in my home office and keep working.

The more difficult choice was to pick myself up, get ready, grab some business cards and go to the lunch meeting.

After all, it was already 10:30 and I was still in my morning-walk-the-dog outfit.  Make-up was questionable. My to-do list for clients was a mile-long.  I wasn’t looking for a job; I had good clients and lots of work to keep me busy.

Besides, this was a new networking group and I really didn’t know anyone.  Okay, I sort of knew the leader of the group.  We both attended the same high school way-back-when and had reconnected on social media.

But was seeing an old friend to have lunch enough incentive to leave the comfort of my home office? Aside from my friend, I wouldn’t know anyone at the meeting.

I tried to convince myself that attending was a good thing; something I had done hundreds of times before at various events.  I knew how to mingle and make small talk.  This would only be an hour of my life.

How hard could it be?

Networking can be one of the most difficult things we do. Even for an outgoing social-butterfly like me.

In fact, if I wasn’t so outgoing and social, I can see how easy it would be to never attend a networking event. Ever.

It’s hard to go to these things alone.  Thoughts that ran through my mind included:

“What will I say?”

“What if they don’t like me?”

“Will I have anything of value to contribute?”

“Maybe it’s a waste of time.”

“Maybe I should wait until another day when I’m better prepared.”

Geez, I can talk my way out of anything.  Like most of us can, I suspect.

And this was coming from someone who is skilled at networking.  Someone who writes about this subject; who coaches others on the finer points of networking; who understands the importance of building and maintaining your network.

Then it hit me. I suddenly realized that if I was having difficulty attending a one-hour networking lunch, imagine how some of my clients must feel?

My energy kicked in as I got dressed in my best business-casual outfit, touched up my make-up, grabbed a stack of business cards and hopped in the car.

Driving towards the meeting, I quickly outlined my goals.  Introduce myself to at least five people.  Come home with at least five business cards.  I rehearsed my thirty-second elevator speech about my business.

You know what?  It wasn’t hard at all.

The group was small and welcomed me.  We each had a chance to introduce ourselves and tell a little about ourselves.  Unlike other networking groups I had attended, everyone here was actually working.

I met my goals. 

As I left, I promised myself I would return for another meeting as well as get out to other groups. The only way to meet people is to leave the house. Duh!

Added bonus: One of the people I met needed my expertise for a job he was bidding and contacted me for help.  Who knows? This could translate into more business for me.

The lesson for all of us is this: No matter where we are in our career, we must continue to network.

Whether you work in an office or from home, get outside of your normal routine and expand your horizons to add names to your digital rolodex. The most difficult part of networking is leaving the house.

Besides, you have to eat lunch anyway.  May as well be productive while doing so.

Own Your Strengths

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Woman with Shopping Bags

Hi – my name is Tami, and I’m a…a…retailer. 

Yes, I’ve known this for quite some time.  Why haven’t I told you before?  Oh, I don’t know.  It’s one of those things that sometimes just doesn’t sound as good as I’d like it too.

Being a retailer is not an easy career path, and it’s one that I chose to pursue when I was in graduate school.  Retailing has everything: strategy, products, logistics, finance, communications, marketing and sales.  It’s old fashioned, with brick and mortar stores, yet so twenty-first-century with ecommerce and mobile apps.

My favorite part is that it’s fast-paced and constantly changing.  We had a saying at my first retail job out of school: you’re only as good as yesterday’s sales.  It’s a constant tug between “how did we do” and “what is our next big thing”, always striving to be better.  To be a good retailer, you need to be able to move between creative and analytical in a heartbeat.  It’s stressful even in slow periods.  And holidays – or should I say “what holidays”?  They are super busy when everyone else has time off.

And I love it!

For some reason I understand the business model, I like the frenetic pace, I enjoy mixing creativity, strategy and analytics, and above all, I enjoy seeing the results.

So why am I telling you this? 

After the layoff I was afraid to tell people I was a retailer.  Not because I was ashamed but because I wanted to cast a wide net in the job search and didn’t want to be exclusively defined by this title.  Frankly, I was afraid of being viewed as a “one-trick pony” when I knew I had much more to offer.

So what did I do?  I came up with some snazzy words to convey the type of work I did to avoid pigeon-holing myself into one industry.   I played down my past employment and spoke in general terms about my experience.

The result? In doing so I ignored my biggest strength:  I am a retailer and I thrive in that type of environment.

My advice to anyone looking for work is to be truthful about who you are in the work force and what type of work makes you tick.  Own your strengths and be truthful with yourself.

Otherwise you’ll end up miscast in a job that’s not right for you.  The last thing you want is to be a square peg pushed into a round hole.

This doesn’t mean you have to stay in your current industry.  As I discovered, my retail skills were transferrable to other industries and other disciplines.  The important thing is to determine what you excel at and apply those strengths to new opportunities.

The lesson here? It’s OK to be who you are. In fact, you need to own it. Your next employer wants it that way.

Biking, Hiking and BBQs Oh My! But What About the Job Search?

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Beach pic

June is finally here and you know what that means: summer vacation!

As Pink Floyd so famously sang, “No more pencils, no more books! No more teachers dirty looks!”

I remember that euphoric feeling as the last bell rang for the year or in college when I finished my last final exam.  It was awesome knowing I had at least two months of relaxation without school responsibilities.

Too bad that all ends when we start our careers and enter the “real world”.

No more summer vacations.  If we’re lucky, we can bookend the summer with long weekends at Memorial Day and Labor Day. Depending on how the calendar falls we may get a third long weekend at Fourth of July.

Hardly the freedom-fest summers of our youth.

It’s been ages since I was in school yet for some reason at this time of year I still find myself wanting to slow down from work and take a step back.   With the sun finally shining I guess I’m ready to come out of hibernation.

Or more appropriately, I’m ready to get up from my desk, longing for a respite from the busy go-go-go lifestyle that has taken over.

Yes, I want to run away from it all. Even if only for a little while.

My mind plays tricks on me, suddenly forgetting all the things on my to-do list.  Knowing that we have a couple of trips planned, Vacation Brain tries to push Work Brain out of the way weeks before it’s time to leave.

I play all sorts of games to remain focused on career, networking, finding my next opportunity and the like, yet it seems in vain. There are simply too many distractions.

The swimming pool is calling me to come outside.  Friends in the teaching profession have free time to play.  Family wants to come to visit. Tons of summer festivals and events.  Biking, hiking, and BBQ’s, oh my!

Even the news is conspiring against me, telling me summer is a terrible time to look for a new job, that hiring tends to decrease over the summer as managers take vacations and a slew of other reasons.  My mind says this sounds reasonable.

Vacation Brain says, “Go ahead and give in; don’t do any work for the next couple of months”.

Work Brain knows I’m responsible and forces me back to reality saying “You know better.”   Sometimes I really hate being responsible.

Work Brain is right. We should not give in to the temptation to relax our standards just because it’s summer and vacation is right around the corner.

Especially anyone who is looking for a new job.  Don’t lose your momentum!  Let others drop out of the job search race if they want; that gives you the edge.  Besides, you never know when there might be a new opportunity and you could be the first to see it.

Should you enjoy summer and plan a vacation? Of course! It’s always good to take a short break to rejuvenate.   Just make sure you have a plan for staying on top of your job search strategy rather than dropping out completely.