What a lovely summer it has been. You’ve no doubt had the odd trip away. Hopefully enjoyed some R&R. Even in the fastest-paced environments, the summer months inevitably result in a more relaxed pace. And we all no doubt needed it, but now, its time for back to school!
If you’re anything like me, once you slow down, it can feel like a challenge to get up to full speed again. September has appeared out of nowhere to slap me in the face! It’s almost tempting to get lulled into the idea of cosying into autumn at a relaxed pace and ride out the end of the year without too much stress.
Hold on a minute, what about all those things you wanted to achieve? So I’m here to say NO WAY! Forget that type of thinking. It’s time to reframe and recognise this as the opportunity it is. September is an exciting time. There are lots of new beginnings. It’s a time of hope as the new school and university years start. Why not take this time to refocus and end your year on a high?!
I’ve given myself a good kick up the backside and put some focus on the areas below to help me get my act together. How about you consider…
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Refocusing on your goals:
Remember those goals you set at the beginning of the year? How are they coming along? I’ve certainly let a few slip. It’s time to put some energy into them and see what you can achieve before another year rolls in. Think about New Years Eve. You’re celebrating a fantastic end to the year. What would you most like to be toasting? Identify what needs to change for that to happen. Work out your first 3 steps. Make yourself accountable for when you’re going to achieve them. And get on with it. If not now then when?! Your future self will thank you for starting today. As a result, you can watch out for the Generation Women Podcast and Executive Mastermind coming soon. I’ve just made myself even more accountable by making a public declaration…something you can consider too!
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Getting organised:
I’ve got to admit, with the frantic run-up to summer and spending more time with the kids than working, my office was a mess. I took a half day yesterday to sort it and set it in order. There’s nothing like a good old clear out to de-clutter the mind and make the space you work in better. I’ve binned, filed, and set up a few simple processes to keep it all in check. My aim is to leave my office an 8/10 every day, and 10 at the weekends. That way I won’t end up chin deep in papers again…my productivity will definitely increase, along with my mood!
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Resetting your habits:
With all that lack of structure that summer can bring, a lot of habits had slipped. The result? I’ve been tired, sluggish, and put on a few pounds. But this is less about how I look, and more about maximising my performance. To be at your best that means having energy, a sharp mind, and the stamina to get the job done well. When you neglect the inputs, the outputs will not be of the same high quality. Habits that will help maximise your energy start with sleep. Getting to bed in enough time to give you your 8 hours, and maintaining a regular routine is a great place to start. Exercise, as we know, is crucial. Fitting in a few 10-minute walks per day, morning stretching, and a burst of high-intensity activity will do wonders for the mind and body. Mindfulness is a wonder at focusing your brain and helps take time off from all the distractions. 10 minutes per day of focused breathing and being in the present has been shown to sharpen the mind. Try an app like headspace.
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Working with intent:
Too often we rush from one situation to the next, without taking time out to consider what our purpose is in each situation. What if you take September to practise intentful working. Take a moment between each activity in your day to draw breath, refocus, and consider – what do I want to achieve with this? How do I bring my best self to this situation? Cry quickly you will notice yourself being more present, more productive, and more impactful.
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Invest in your development:
It’s back to school time, and lots of us are having chats with our children about the importance of education and developing yourself. But what about you? When’s the last time you invested in yourself? So many of us are caught up wearing their busy badge, meaning we’re neglecting the opportunities to grow our minds, increase expertise, and build new relationships. It’s something I know I’ve neglected, so have re-evaluated my goals. I want to be at the forefront of coaching and diversity and Inclusion. As a result, I’ve planned a trip to the US to attend a couple of inspirational conferences and to meet with the people at the forefront of these areas there. Look at your goals again, what would help you get there quicker? Make sure you always include a development target. Whether it’s improving, learning a new skill, or investing in coaching to get you where you want to go quicker, jump in and do it. Investment in yourself will never be wasted.
Make the most of the back to school vibe for your career
And you know what, I’ve managed to shift myself from being all about a good lie into being excited about where I’ll be by the end of the year. Go on, get the back to school vibe going in your career. Who knows where it will take you!
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Sinead is the Founder of Generation Women and is a Career and Leadership Coach. She has almost 20 years’ experience in developing leaders in global corporates. Her passion for helping others excel in their careers has resulted in her clients landing the jobs they want, being headhunted, and stepping up into leadership with confidence. She’s the Director of Leadership Development for Lean In Northern Ireland and a passionate advocate for equality.
Sinead’s signature coaching programme is Rise and Shine Career Design, which is her ultimate career accelerator. She currently has a waiting list for her September programme, book a call to speak with her to get on the list.
Website: https://genwomen.global/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sinead-sharkey/