Coping With the End of Summer at Work
Summer hours are nearly over. If you were fortunate enough to enjoy shortened workdays on Fridays, or a seasonally lax dress code, the gravy train is about to end. The relaxed vibe of summer is about to expire, bringing forward a plethora of patio furniture sales and the countdown to the winter holidays. Don't fret that all of those vacation days have been used up. There are a few small things to do to ease the transition between seasons.
DO SOMETHING NOW. The season is really nothing more than a series of calendar dates. Don't put off what you can do today until next year. If that mountain bike expedition you promised you'd tackle never came to fruition, you still have several weeks left until the weather turns.
USE STRATEGIC SICK DAYS. I know the Jobacle Sick Day Calendar gives managers and HR professionals a serious headache, but let's be honest, only suckers lose days at the end of the year. Use them scarcely, use them wisely, but above all, make sure you use them!
SCHOOL IS NOT STARTING. The end of August and early September are synonymous with heading back to school. Even years removed from the school cycle, many of us are 'trained' to feel a certain way. Perhaps you find yourself a bit anxious as summer expire, tossing and turning in bed. Or maybe you're dreading the sight of yellow school buses clogging up the highway. These feelings are normal. After all, the standard school calendar, where children experience an academic reprieve during the summer, is with us for a third of our lives.
PLAN AUTUMN EVENTS. I'm not suggesting you rally the accounting department to allocate funds for an interdepartmental apple bobbing competition. Rather, get yourself excited about the coming season. Whether it's planning a Halloween party or spending a day pumpkin picking, autumn still gives us many opportunities to get outside and live.
THINK ABOUT NEXT SUMMER. One thing I like to do is make a list of what I accomplished during the summer, and what slipped away. Part of the process is preparing a list for next year to make sure I don’t let anything slip through the cracks. I know next summer feels a million miles away, but it will be here before you know it.
The Jobacle gang would love to hear how you'll cope with the end of summer. I'll be moving away from logo polo shirts and back to shirts and ties. I despise wearing a suit, but it will secretly be nice to get a bit of my identity back.
For those of you suffering from Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder, congratulations; winter is almost here!
Andrew G.R.
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From Parties to Philanthropy: The Power of Group Activities
Even the best job and the most dynamic workplace can be dull at times. You can spice it up through various group activities and celebrations. The possibilities are virtually endless and the benefits are clear. Sharing good times enhances team spirit, boosts morale and helps create a family atmosphere. People who like one another work better together are more productive and have more fun.
Boredom and isolation are the two killers of workplace motivation. Fight them with a softball team, a baby shower or a charitable project such as a food drive, mentoring program or fundraiser. The investment is modest and the payoff can be substantial.
What do all these things have in common? They encourage the important but often undervalued interaction between bosses and employees and among colleagues. When it comes to showing the love and creating strong bonds, the sky’s the limit – even if your budget is grounded in the reality of today’s economy.