5 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Summer Ends

Can you believe the end of August is fast approaching? Offering us a fleeting (humid) moment between summer and fall, August gives us the perfect opportunity to step back, check in with ourselves and our teams, and gear up for another virtual program cycle.

Often feeling like the calm before the storm, August is typically a month of planning and reflection. This year, especially for programs more drastically impacted by COVID-19, August may also be about re-envisioning approaches and/or strategizing how to support more with less.

Wherever this August finds you, we encourage you to walk yourself through the following 5 questions for self-reflection, and maybe even share the exercise with your team as you work through your program planning and reflection before the fall whirlwind arrives. As a bonus, we’ve included a link to download or save these questions if that makes your reflection a little easier (or more fun)!

  1. What can I learn from a recent professional SUCCESS? 

    With so much going on right now, it’s no surprise that you may not have stopped to consider what has gone WELL.  What are you most proud of over the past few months?  What led to this success?  What patterns do you see emerging around your successes?   How can you translate this success to other projects / areas?

  2. How can I reframe one CHALLENGE that I have been having at work? 

    Challenges can be tough to overcome.  What information can you gather to help you learn more about this challenge or see it from a different angle?  How can you limit the barriers that prevent you from effectively tackling the challenge?  Who can support you in talking through strategies or solutions? 

  3. What is my most important GOAL for this fall? 

    With so much swirling around us daily, it can be hard to set aside time to advance our most important, most strategic initiatives.  Based on the information (data) from the first half of this calendar year, where should you be focusing your attention?  What priority is most important for you to advance this fall?

  4. What is one HABIT I can shift to be more effective at work? 

    Most often, we know what we need to change to make ourselves stronger, more impactful, and more efficient at work; however, it can be hard to make those changes a reality, especially when work locations rapidly shift from offices to kitchen tables!  What is one (1) habit shift you can make to support your best self at work? 

  5. How can I RECHARGE?

    Don’t forget – summer is also about relaxation, even if that means making space for a “stay-cation” this year.  What activities or practices have helped you recharge over the past few months? As difficult as it can be, how can you step away from your weekly routine to take care of yourself, whether to finally schedule that doctor’s appointment, read a book (for fun!), or take that virtual yoga class? How can you infuse (more) “recharge” time into your daily or weekly routine in the months ahead? 

Jana SharpComment