Set a goal, learn new skills, read and listen to job-related podcasts, update your social media ... [+]
Memorial Day weekend is a perfect time to chill, relax and recharge. Cutting ties from the office, you will have fewer distractions and can concentrate on what’s best for you. The three-day holiday weekend will enable you to focus on your career ambitions.
Set a goal, learn new skills, read and listen to job-related podcasts, update your social media profile and contact people in your network. In addition to planning your next play, set aside time for your mental, emotional and physical health.
Using The Extra Time Wisely
Set aside time to figure out your goals for the summertime and up until the start of September, when everyone gets back into the work mentality. Also, think long-term. Ask yourself where you would like to be in three, five or 10 years. To push yourself, your goals should be somewhat of a stretch. Once you decide upon your career-growth mission, you need a daily schedule to follow and keep yourself honest.
You don’t want to push yourself too much. Before you know it, you’re back to the grind. Take a number of microbreaks. Go to the beach with the family. Hit the gym. Take a walk in the park. Do some yoga and meditation. Read a good book and listen to podcasts that offer motivation and inspiration that lean toward job-related topics and tips.
You Need To Work Harder And Smarter During Difficult Times
It’s a challenging job market for white-collar professionals. The long weekend offers the time to update your rèsumè and LinkedIn profile. Add any new jobs, responsibilities, achievements, accolades, certifications and credentials. Search job boards and online corporate career sections for new and exciting opportunities.
Most people won’t be on LinkedIn this weekend, as they are engaged in other activities. Leveraging this time to hone your brand and build your social media presence will be less stressful. Proactively contact recruiters who specialize in your space and ask for a conversation after the holiday. Politely contact colleagues, former co-workers, mentors and people within your network. Ask if they’d like to catch up and get together for a drink, coffee, dinner or an outing to gain new ideas and job leads.
With the extra time off, brush up on skills and learn about future-forward things you will need to know in the next five-plus years, such as artificial intelligence, coding and data analysis. There are many free online courses, such as Udemy and Coursera, that you could start right away.
What You Should Avoid
The Memorial Day holiday is one of the year's busiest travel weekends. Getting stuck in traffic or being on a beach with your family, surrounded by young people drinking and partying, can make life stressful. Try avoiding crowded beaches and amusement parks. Resist the temptation to drink too much alcohol and spend wildly.
Rejuvenation And Self-Care
Get sufficient sleep so you’ll be well-rested for returning to work. If you are feeling close to being burned out, prioritize self-care. Set boundaries over office emails, texts and video calls during the long weekend. Take some additional paid time off to make it a four- or five-day weekend. The mini-break will recharge you. Trying volunteering at a veterans hospital or homeless shelter. It’s a great way to give back while also gaining a perspective on the lives of others.
Memorial Day honors the commitment of America’s military service members by recognizing those who have lost their lives defending their country. In an act of kindness, you can volunteer to help veterans. It’s also a rewarding feeling. When you help someone out of the goodness of your heart, without anticipating anything in return, you actually receive a great benefit. It’s a joyful feeling to do something positive by making a difference in a stranger’s life.
