Mindful Moments: Elevate Your Summer Experience

As the days lengthen and the pace slows, summer provides an excellent opportunity to refresh and strategically realign your career. Let's utilize this season to prepare for what's next.

An article published in Harvard Business Review (July 2023) stated, "Taking a vacation provides greater opportunity for rest and better sleep (both quantity and quality), which can help unclutter your mind to create more mental space." Therefore, make time for hikes, beach weekends, or simply turning off notifications. Reflect on what truly energizes you -- pivoting your career or delving deeper into a specialization?

At Oakdale Consulting, we recognize that this season holds different meanings for each of us. Whether you're looking to recharge, explore new horizons, or connect with loved ones, summer is a time to embrace nature, recharge, and grow. It offers a unique opportunity to pause and reconnect with what truly matters. In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to overlook the importance of taking time for ourselves and our loved ones.

Incorporating mindfulness practices this summer can enhance our mental resilience, such as:

• journaling

• yoga

• simply taking a moment to breathe.

These practices help maintain balance amidst the season's busyness. Accept the invitation to slow down, reflect and grow.

Let summer be more than a break—let it be your launchpad, whether it's rejuvenation, reskilling, networking, or job hunting. Wishing you a safe and happy summer!

Blending rest with strategic career planning

To achieve career growth this summer, it is essential to combine rest with strategic planning. Take time to relax while also reflecting purposefully on your goals, such as seeking promotions, acquiring new skills, or transitioning to a different industry.

Focus on upskilling in high-demand areas, such as data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability. Many employers are increasingly prioritizing skills over degrees, especially for roles related to AI and green technologies.

Furthermore, given the rising anxiety surrounding potential layoffs in 2025, it is crucial to build resilience. Strengthen your emergency savings, expand your network, and continuously develop both soft and technical skills, particularly adaptability in AI and hybrid environments.

I attended a conference earlier in the year, and a question was posed to the presenters: "Do you foresee AI resulting in major job losses?" The answer was profound! "AI doesn't eliminate jobs—people who don't adapt to it might." Just as we transitioned from hand calculators to Excel, tools continue to evolve. Embrace AI as a force multiplier, not a replacement.

Stay active in the job market

Staying active in the job market is essential, especially during the summer of 2025, when many companies increase their hiring budgets. Recent graduates are increasingly using summer internships to launch their careers, indicating that these opportunities are valuable for more than just students. To improve your chances of success, it's a good idea to apply early in the week, customize your application materials, and follow up thoughtfully. Networking is crucial because over 60% of hires are made through referrals. Research upcoming fall events and informal meetups to significantly enhance your connections and visibility in your industry.

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today." — H. Jackson Brown Jr.

As summer unfolds, let's honour its power to rejuvenate both mind and career. Whether you're disconnecting to recharge or engaging in targeted upskilling, embrace this season's gift: a chance to reflect and grow. 

At Oakdale Consulting, we're here to support you. May your summer be restful, insightful, and empowering. Share your #1 summer memory in the comments.

P.S. Ready to transform your career narrative? In next month's newsletter, we're diving into "The Art of Storytelling."