Unlock Your Summer Potential: Reconnect with Yourself

Summer is here and it is time to relax and have fun! Right?!!

Reality is...NO. You have to look for work. You feel that you have no time to waste. You needed a job yesterday and there is no time for fun and relaxation.

Seriously…What are you doing this summer?
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How about you take the time this summer to reconnect with yourself and envision your next academic or career step?

Summer Secret

​I'll let you in on a little secret. Summer IS the time to rejuvenate and focus on the moment. Yet as much fun as this sounds, summer can be the time to get to know YOU.

You have your beliefs, experiences, abilities, values, and interests. Use this summer to actively explore and define your exceptional you.

Stay Active this Summer

Checking in on your current self is important. It will help you find an academic path. You can also discover a specialized role that you will enjoy. It will also lay the foundation for your career success.

Take the time to regularly check in on your daily routine

• Breaks: How often and when do you take breaks? If you realize that you don't take breaks, then it's time to schedule them. 
• Screen Time: How much screen time do you spend per day? Our phones now have the ability to give us that number. Dissect the minutes spent within that number.
• Screen Value: What are you spending your on-screen time doing? Again, phones can be amazingly specific in answering this question. Scrutinize what you are watching or reading.
• Significance: Are you spending time onscreen and off-screen on what is important to you?

​Touching base with your reactions to your responses to the above questions helps clarify your next step. This method is a sure-fire way to gain clarity.

Photo by Mateo Giraud on Unsplash

​Discover your BEAVI ©

​Consider spending time utilizing a simple and reliable approach to Discover your BEAVI © (beliefs, experiences, abilities/skills, values, interests).

Start a BEAVI © list and define each of the next BEAVI © terms.

• Beliefs
• Experiences
• Abilities
• Values
• Interests

​How would you define each term? What would you include within each category? Your definition of each term is what matters. Regardless of what everyone else thinks, it is YOUR definition that matters.

What’s Next

Once you have defined each term, it is time to bring in your routine exploration results. Then, Discover your BEAVI © by categorizing each activity.

Let’s say, you enjoy spending time cooking your dinner. Cooking will be one activity in your daily routine. Would you put it as an interest or as an ability? It is up to you. What matters is that it is recognized on the Discover your BEAVI ©. It is thus an agreeable part of your daily routine.

Continue down your exploration results and list as many activities as you can. Whether it is waking up early or sleeping in, reading or writing, creating or copying...add it all to the list under the appropriate term.
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Once completed, examine your BEAVI © list looking for common threads. For example, your list included eating good food, eating in restaurants, cooking with friends. You can clearly see eating, food, spending time in cooking environments as common threads. These are activities that you obviously enjoy. Now you are starting to get to know YOU.

Get to Know YOU

​The goal of exploring your daily routine is to help you get to know yourself. Uncovering your BEAVI © is also a part of this process. Use your common threads to create a bucket list of possible explorations and experiences. Next, seek out opportunities to check off items on your list. Once more, take the time to answer the check-in questions provided. Make sure to touch base with your reaction to each exploratory activity and experience.
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Take the time to get to know YOU this summer! Once you know who you are, it will be much easier to find the next academic step. It will also be easier to figure out the role you are looking for. You will also be more engaged in finding your right fit.

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Have questions??

I am Hoda Kilani CCDP ®, CPCC, a certified Career and Academic coach as well as a Career Development Advisor. I am the founder of Right Career Fit (RCF). RCF is a coaching practice committed to providing top-notch career learning. Our services include career coaching for students, parents, teachers, and community partners. As a career and academic coach, I have coached and mentored over a thousand clients with career direction to effectively select next steps that match their career aspirations. As a Career Development Advisor, I help schools and organizations integrate career literacy. I create environments where all stakeholders are encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge. I speak regularly at national and international events on the importance of career literacy. I also work tirelessly to spread global awareness of its value. I do this through individual coaching, community partnerships, and conference presentations. I also write academic articles and blogs. Additionally, I host career conversations on YouTube, podcasts, and radio shows in English and Arabic.