We’re right in the middle of the summer, it’s mid August.
All you want to do is to put your feet in the water in a beach somewhere and just relax. It sounds like everyone is on vacation. Roads are empty, the airport is full and at work everyone is talking about trips that they have taken or are about to take. You’re probably planning to spend some time on vacation, to be with your children and family, to get some rest.
What people underestimate about the summer is that it’s a perfect time to jump start your career and get promoted to the next level.
If you take a look at the calendar you will see that we are almost on the fourth quarter of the year.
You might think that it’s only important for sales people, who cares about quarters if you’re not in sales, right?
Wrong!
For every employee, whether they are a manager or an employee, the last quarter is a very important one.
This quarter is the most important in terms of your annual employee appraisal. This annual employee evaluation can be of a great importance to you in terms of assessment, promotion and of course bonuses.
A lot of companies evaluate their employees at the end of each calendar year, and depending on your performance you might getting a raise and a promotion, or getting let go.
That’s why you have to take the summer and apply a few simple tips to get yourself prepared for the fourth quarter.
Get promoted this summer!
So how can you advance yourself in the middle of the summer?
First of all DECIDE.
Decide that you’re going to get yourself in a better spot for that promotion or raise.
If it’s a promotion – what projects can you take on or what metrics can you focus on to ensure that you will be promoted?
If you want to stay in your role and get a raise then how can you improve your efficiency, delegate tasks better, or get a bigger project to work on?
Job advancement can come in many different ways.
For example, you could be moved to a senior position, and get a team of people working under you. It could also mean staying at the same position but transitioning to a strategic team at the company, closer to the decision makers. It’s your job to decide which is right for you and where would you like to see yourself in the next year.
This is the real aim of the fourth quarter.
After you’ve decided on your goal, it’s time to STRATEGIZE, to come up with a few ways to get to your goals straight for next year.
The best way to move up in any company is to decide on a project you would like to spearhead in the last quarter of the year.
Think – what project that can be completed in three months, meaning Sep. Oc. Nov., so you can present the results to the executive team in December?
Which project will be big enough to make an impact, but not too big so you could finish it in three months?
It is important to take a project that is limited in terms of time, energy and resources, but on the other hand significant enough to be presented this year.
So this is the strategic way of getting ahead this summer:
1. DECIDE ON YOUR GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR
2. CHOOSE A SIGNIFICANT PROJECT THAT YOU COULD FINISH WITHIN THREE MONTHS
3. ACT!
If you take some time this summer to decide on a goal and the strategy your next year will be better personally, professionally, and financially.
Take advantage of the summer, and if you need any help, I’m here for you.
Have a great, safe and refreshing summer.
Contact me if you’ve been thinking about that raise, promotion or dream job but are not quite sure how to get there. I’m here to help
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