With the official arrival of summer on June 20, once again it is time to consider, despite sounding very cliché, how to make the most of summer. With three months, there is sufficient time to complete the following three goals:
1. Go on vacation.
Americans are highly competitive; according to a Mercer study conducted in 2009, the U.S. ranked first in terms of competitiveness based on GDP. However, when GDP is divided by the number of hours worked, the U.S. falls in rank. Despite having citizens who work fewer days, spending more time enjoying vacations instead, many European countries are still highly competitive and are more productive than their American counterparts. For example, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reveals that Luxemburg, where 32 vacation days are mandated annually, is 27% more efficient than the U.S. More information about the advantages can be read at How More Vacation Time Can Increase Productivity but the salient point is that productivity and vacations can coexist. Use this summer to enjoy a few days away from work; shed the stress; and return relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to be productive.
2. Evaluate your goals.
By July, New Year’s Resolutions are no longer being maintained, much less remembered. Take the time to review the goals that you set at the beginning of the year. Are you on track to complete those goals or must they be modified? If you failed to previously create a list of work-oriented goals, start during the third quarter. Remember to keep your goals attainable and to track your progress to ensure success.
3. Evaluate your HRIS.
Is the company’s human resource software up-to-date or is an upgrade in order? Employees receive (or should receive) regular evaluations and so should software. There are valuable white papers that can help evaluate HR solutions (including Evaluating Workforce Management Solutions) and other tools to compare different HRIS systems (such as the HRIS selector tool).
Take advantage of this summer and share your summer goals in the comments.