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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You’re probably active on the big social networks, but have you ever looked beyond those to see what other social networks could benefit you? Here’s a few interesting communities to get started:
1. Blogster
Users of Blogster are bloggers who publish and create content. Members can network and collaborate with others through building a profile, creating friend lists, commenting on articles, and interacting in the community.
2. Bebo
Bebo stands for Blog Early, Blog Often. Users of the network can post blogs, photos, music, videos, and questionnaires on their profile page. They can also add friends, send messages, and update their profile to notify friends.
3. DailyBooth
The slogan of DailyBooth is, “Your life in pictures.” Similar to Twitter, but with a twist—users upload a photo of themselves every day with a caption, in order to document their life and share it with others. You can follow other users and get real-time updates on what others are doing.
4. italki
Looking to learn a new language? Join this online community for language learning, founded by American and Chinese entrepreneurs. You can get help from the community of language learners and teachers, share resources and get corrections on your writing in a new language. With users from around the world, you can also practice your written and spoken language skills.
5. Jaiku
Similar to Twitter, Jaiku is a social networking, micro-blogging and lifestreaming service. According to its website, Jaiku’s goal is “to bring people closer together by enabling them to have conversations.” You can share updates via web, instant messaging (IM) and text message. This network is part of Google.
6. MocoSpace
Specifically designed for use on a mobile device, MocoSpace has features similar to other social networking websites, such as IM, mobile chat, photo and video sharing and forums. It’s one of the largest mobile websites of any type in the U.S.
7. SocialVibe
SocialVibe connects people with brands, and realizes how influential an individual is to generating attention that brands need. Members of this social network can select their favorite cause and choose a sponsor, and then earn points for themselves, which can be redeemed for perks and money for the charity of their choice (after displaying their “badge” to another social networking site). The community has raised more than $700,000 for 40+ different charities.
Are you a member of any of the social networks listed above? Want to share any others not listed?Heather R. Huhman, founder & president of Come Recommended, is passionate about helping students and recent college graduates pursue their dream careers.Read more » articles by this approved career expert | Click here » if you’re a career expertPhoto credit: Shutterstock
