This past weekend was opening day for my 10-year-old daughter's soccer team, the MSI Snow Leopards. They did great, winning on both Saturday and Sunday.
Some of the parents were commenting on how the off-season conditioning and practice the girls did really helped them dominate both of their games. They were right! Our girls were running circles around the other team and by the second half, the other teams were out of gas. Their skills were great too. It was almost if they were in mid-season form.
A strong off-season brings forth a great season.
How is your off-season conditioning going? I'm not talking about sports either.
Most of us have seasons when it comes to our careers. As a consultant, speaker, and trainer, my prime season runs from about February through early November. The off-season is just a by-product of the holidays when most people aren't working. I also have a little downtime in August. Our colleagues in the Federal government are in their prime season now as they prepare to close the fiscal year. Others of us in retail have our biggest season during the holidays. No matter what, all of us have an off-season. What we do with it can set us up for success when things get busy.
So what should your off-season look like? Here are my suggestions:
- Rest (just a little) then get off your backside and prepare to reload!
- Take stock of what you learned during the season. What were your successes? Why did you have them? Where did you fail? Do you know why?
- Study the industry. Take a look at emerging
trends and technologies. In my off-season I realized
the economy was beginning to come back so I finished off my book The New Rules of Engagement: How to Keep Your Superstars Loyal to You in preparation. My Job Hunt Boot Camps may not be the hot item this year.
- Revisit your networks. Who haven't you checked in with in awhile? Who should you contact for some introductions?
- Look for new opportunities. No matter what happens economically, there will always be a need for someone or something to leverage the new realities. Where will you fit in? How can you position yourself?
- Inventory your skill sets. Are you up to speed on technologies, systems, and ideas that are in vogue? If not, get busy reading or studying!
This weekend taught me the value of a productive off-season. I'm going to prepare for mine right now, even as I go full speed in the current season. I hope you'll do the same!
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