When you're working a full-time job, finding time to enjoy the warm, bright summer weather can be a challenge. This is especially true for young professionals, as many of them are used to having summers off (or, at the very least, having a flexible summer schedule). But there's no need to feel trapped behind your cubicle walls. Go out and enjoy summer!
Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer while working full time.
1. Grab Some Foldable Chairs
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Keep a couple of foldable camping chairs at the office so you and a co-worker can catch some rays during lunch—whether it's in the park or the parking lot.
2. Keep A Beach Bag In Your Car
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Keep a bag full of summer supplies for your favorite summer activities. Having a bag (or, in my case, a backseat) full of towels, sunscreen, and swimwear keeps you prepared for anything. Friends hitting up the pool after work? You're covered. Once the clock strikes five, you can head to your destination of choice immediately.
3. Plan An Office Outing
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Plan an office field trip to the beach, the park, or the pool. Just do something fun so your brain can recharge and refresh!
4. Organize Group Walks
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Get a bunch of co-workers together and go on regular walks around town during lunch. (Or you could suggest a quick jaunt over to the ice cream shop.) This is a great way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
5. Eat Lunch At The Park
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When you find yourself eating out, hit up places with a deck, porch, or patio of some sort. Obviously, eating out every day isn't really a feasible option for most of us, so look into alternative ideas as well. Pack a lunch and hit the park for your own little picnic.
6. Organize Office Sports
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Whether it's setting up an official office sports team or just hanging out with your colleagues a few times a week, playing sports is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather. Have a field nearby? Try setting up some slow-pitch softball games. Or see if you can get a basketball hoop for the office so you and a few co-workers can shoot some hoops at lunch.
7. Join A Professional Group
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During the summer, professional networking groups often have fun events like harbor cruises, pub crawls, and outdoor mixers. Find a professional group in your area and make networking fun this summer.
8. Have An Office BBQ
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Get your grill on! Talk to your boss about setting up an office BBQ. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite dish, side, or drink. Fire up the grill and relax! Hey, it's summer after all.
9. Wake Up Early
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Yes, yes, I know...waking up early is an incredibly painful and unbearable experience for some of us, but waking up even an hour earlier has its benefits—especially in the summer. Go for a morning run, putter around in the garden, or watch the sunrise with a loved one. Talk about starting the day off right!
10. Strategically Use Your Time Off
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Strategically use your vacation days around holidays. This way, you can make a potentially long weekend longer without having to use too much of your precious vacation time. Half days are also pretty awesome. It's amazing how much you can do with four extra hours! If you want an early weekend but don't want to burn up your vacation days too quickly, try taking a half day on a Friday instead of using a full day off.
11. Bike To Work
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If you're one of the lucky few who live within walking or biking distance of work, take advantage of it! Not only will you get plenty of fresh air, but you'll also save money on gas, which is always a plus!
There are plenty of easy ways to enjoy summer when you work a full-time job. So this summer, try out a few of these ideas and make the most of the sunshine and warm weather—while they're still around!
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If you are an experienced executive you may be considering interim management as the next step in your professional career.
Interim management gives you the freedom to choose who you want to work for, for how long and what type of work you undertake. However there are a number of advantages and disadvantages you need to think about carefully before you make the move.
As there are loads of interim job positions available the main benefit of becoming one is the flexibility which comes from managing yourself. Working as an interim manager will give you periods of freedom between assignments to pursue your own interests, spend time with your family or travel.
One of the advantages of moving from being an executive to an interim manager is you will earn more money than a permanent employee – around double your current salary. Not only will you earn more, you will also have the opportunity to build up a portfolio of business experience in different sectors and in different organizations.
Many interim managers relish the opportunity to get on with their work without having to get involved with office politics, and the variety that comes with working in different organizations and with new people. Interim management may also give you the opportunity to work overseas or in different areas of the country without permanently moving there or uprooting your family.
There are of course disadvantages of working as an interim manager to consider as well. You are responsible for finding your own work and making sure the money keeps coming in. You will also be responsible for your own tax, VAT and national insurance contributions. There may be gaps when you cannot find work which you may find disconcerting if you are accustomed to permanent employment. There is also no sickness or holiday pay so you need to be good at managing your money and planning ahead. You may find it lonely to keep moving from one organization to another. You may even meet resistance depending on the circumstances of your appointment and may find it difficult to command respect from people who know you won’t be there forever. There is likely to be high expectations of you – you won’t be able to have an "off day." As an interim manager you will be expected to make a big difference to your clients in a short amount of time. This will be challenging, but also satisfying.
You may have to work away from home either for extended periods or during the week. This may have a negative impact on your relationship or family life. However the move from executive to interim manager is not permanent. Should you decide to go back into permanent employment, you will already have a great network of contacts. You will be able to demonstrate that you have a broad range of skills as well as the coveted ability to walk into any environment and make a difference.
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