The first half of the year is over. You’ve celebrated your successes, taken on challenges and continued to grow. It’s time to look back for a moment, but above all to look ahead. Because the most important question is: what’s next?
More than one in three employees who aren’t actively looking for a new job still find themselves reflecting on their current career during the summer months. So you’re certainly not the only one.
What happens when the pace slows down
Throughout the year, you go from one deadline to the next. You react, take action, adapt. There’s little room for questions that don’t require immediate action, so you put them aside.
Summer changes all that. The daily grind falls away, as do the expectations. Your mind finally gets the chance to catch up. And in that silence, thoughts surface that you’d easily brush aside when things are hectic.
That breathing space in the summer allows you to take an honest look at where you stand.
How do you use that space? the best?
Thinking about your career doesn’t have to stem from dissatisfaction. It can just as easily stem from curiosity. Where am I now? What do I want? What could be improved?
Those questions don’t always lead to a big decision. Sometimes they lead to a conversation, or confirmation that you’re exactly where you want to be. And sometimes to something new.
Take an honest look at what’s going well
We’re quick to focus on what’s missing, but rarely on what we do have. A good salary, flexibility, lovely colleagues, a short commute, a good work-life balance. These are no small things.
Take a moment to consciously identify those things. After doing this exercise, many people come to the conclusion that they’re actually better off than they thought. Making a conscious choice to stay is just as valuable as deciding to look for something new.
Think about what you can change yourself
Not every source of dissatisfaction calls for a new job. Sometimes it calls for initiative: what can you do yourself before drawing any major conclusions?
Have a chat with your manager. Many people harbour unspoken aspirations regarding career progression, responsibility or the direction they’d like to take. Having that conversation can sometimes feel like a big step, but the outcome is often more positive than you might think.
Put yourself forward for a new project, explore whether there might be another role or direction available within the company, or invest in yourself by taking a course or learning a new skill. Growth doesn’t necessarily mean leaving the company. Sometimes the solution is closer than you think.
Summer is the time to think about those steps before things start up again in September.
Questions to reflect on
Summer is the perfect time to take a moment to reflect on where you are right now. These questions will help you get started.
What gives me energy in my work, and when have I felt that over the past few months? Energy shows you where your strengths lie and what drives you. The tasks that give you energy point you towards what you want more of.
What am I proud of this year? Pride shows you where you’ve created value. These are the moments when your work really made a difference.
What is keeping me here, and do I consciously support that? Salary, flexibility, colleagues, stability: name them. Sometimes they’re more important than you thought.
Is there anything I’d like to change about my job, and have I ever said so? Many people harbour unspoken wishes. Summer is the time to give them some shape.
Am I still doing this because I want to, or because it feels familiar? Familiarity is valuable, but it is not in itself a reason to stay.
Taking an honest look at where you stand costs nothing. And it’s always worthwhile, even if the conclusion is: I’m exactly where I should be.
If you’re left with questions after the holidays and find you can’t sort them out on your own, a chat with someone who knows the market is sometimes all it takes to gain some clarity. Not to make a change straight away, but to get a clear picture of what your options are.
At CTRL-F, we’re happy to brainstorm with you, without any pressure or rush. Please feel free to send us a message.
