THE SUMMER PIVOT
photo by marctutorials
I enjoy the slower life rhythm of summer. The sun rises earlier in the morning, and the day stretches before us like a canvas of possibilities. Our house is calmer—no teenage school drama, assignments to do, or after-school activities for daughters. My husband, Mark, and I can finally take a break. I love strolling through my summer vegetable garden or picking hydrangeas from the yard to add a floral touch to my home office.
Even though my full-time job as a college professor is a year-round appointment, my work pace also slows down. Apart from one or two summer classes, the campus is relatively deserted; fewer emails clutter my inbox, and fewer meetings are on my calendar. The summer season has generously opened up space for living.
This slower pace is the atmosphere in which creativity blooms. For those of us in the midst of a career move or just thinking about trying a new creative adventure, summertime offers a perfect time block to make some movement toward those goals--plan out that career pivot, begin writing that book, or finally take steps to tackle an item on our someday/maybe list. To be clear, I am not suggesting we crowd even the lazy days of summer with another checklist of things to do. No, not at all. But we can use the slower drum beat of summer in innovative ways to unwind and also boost our creativity. Here are three strategies for making that happen this summer:
Plan and Prepare: Why not make a “me time” trip to the bookstore and grab a cute notebook, journal, or favorite writing or doodling app? Use this space to write down your goals and intentions for the next month or two. Make it as ambitious or as relaxed as you want. Whatever you do, just don’t stress about it.
Listen and Learn—For any move you are considering, it's crucial to gather reliable information to guide your next steps. Ask those around you, “Who would you recommend as an expert on this topic?” Consider adopting such experts as virtual mentors. Get their books and curate their digital content—audiobooks, interviews, podcasts, etc. For example, this summer, I’ve committed to fully embracing a whole food plant-based diet. To kickstart my journey, I've curated a selection of Netflix specials, webinars, and books centered around this lifestyle.
Dream and Design—Contrary to popular opinion, the key to happiness is not simply found in doing less. When we are doing the work we were hardwired to do, work can be our playground for happiness. However, we can turn that playground into a prison with the wrong mindset. Brand your new project as an adventure, a thrill ride of fun, big dreams, and endless possibilities. Sit by the pool with your favorite book or drink in hand, go for a morning run or stroll, and use that as your thinking time to give your biggest, most bodacious ideas room to breathe.
Whatever your plans are this summer to do the next new thing, I challenge you to follow the relaxed rhythm of summer to begin that playful summer pivot.
Kathy-Ann C. Hernandez, Ph.D.
Is an author, professor, and leadership expert. She is the founder of Value What Matters, a leadership brand focused on intentional living through the relationships we cultivate with self, others, and our God. She researches, writes, and teaches habits and strategies for leading a flourishing life. She is the author of Waiting by the Brook: Seven Steps to Deeper Intimacy with God.