Sunday Scaries? Send Them to Detention! 📝

Just like that, school is back in session, and everyone’s mentality is shifting. 

We don’t have kids, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel the impacts of the back-to-school season. From a literal perspective, our house is smack between the elementary and high school in our town, so traffic has picked up considerably. 

But what I usually observe more than the uptick in traffic this time of year is the adult relief that washes over every parent, knowing they’re about to get back to their routines. It may not be fall yet (officially), but the fall mindset is upon us as we usher in a time of focus, growth, and commitment to business and career. 

Need a little help snapping back to reality? Team CB and I have just what you need, with seven tips collected from me, Tonya - a mom who remembers many a first day of school, and Acacia - a former teacher who always brings a new perspective to anything involving school! 

✏️ 1. “Sharpen Your Pencils” with The Resume Revolution

As we step into a new "school year" vibe, it's the perfect time to sharpen your tools—starting with your resume. With just a month to go until The Resume Revolution, now is the time to prepare. This event offers a quick and powerful way to enhance your resume and personal branding. 

Whether you’re looking to revamp your career or simply stay sharp, position yourself for success by registering for this event so your resume and personal brand are ready to write the next chapter of your career.

🪄 2. Share the Classroom Magic

Remember how teachers had systems in place to make sure the classroom ran smoothly? It’s time to bring some of that back-to-school magic into your adult life. Think about the systems that made school life easier—like turning in homework, organizing supplies, or rotating through stations—and apply them to your work and home life. 

Set up a "homework station" for focused work time, create a ‘morning lineup’ of tasks to start your day right, or even establish a "classroom helper" system at home where household members rotate chores. By integrating these classroom-inspired systems into your routine, you’ll streamline repetitive tasks, making your days more efficient and freeing up time for what really matters.

⚽ 3. Recess Isn’t Just for Kids

Recess was always a time to recharge and play to have fun as kids, and it’s just as important now. It might seem like we shouldn’t put “work” and “play” or “fun” in the same sentence, but I assure you it’s possible. If you’re still thinking “Inconceivable!”, then you should set up a meeting with one of our career coaches (and you get bonus points for responding with a movie quote😀).

Engaging in play is essential for a balanced, healthy life for a slew of reasons - it reduces stress, boosts creativity, enhances social connections, improves cognitive function, increases productivity, promotes emotional well-being, fosters resilience, and contributes to better physical health.

Whew! No wonder I make so much time to go outside and adventure! 

Unfortunately, we’ve been taught that play is for children and not part of our adult world. But science has shown that play is productive for all ages!

The National Institute for Play has a three-step plan for rekindling the joy of play in your adult life:

Step 1: Find your play personality.

Step 2: Consider how you like to play.

Step 3: Try something that sounds fun!

So, here’s our challenge: Take a few minutes to discover your playful side and commit to one specific way to add play into your week—because recess is as important now as it was then.

🎨 4. Extracurricular Adventures Can be Passion Projects

If you’re looking to build new skills or explore new career paths, traditional networking isn’t the only option. Instead of focusing solely on networking events or professional organizations, consider diving into passion projects or side hustles that genuinely excite you.

These creative endeavors provide personal fulfillment, reduce stress, and bring joy outside of work. Passion projects not only enrich your life but might also open doors to new career opportunities by allowing you to develop new skills and connect with like-minded individuals in a more organic, authentic way. Most importantly, they offer a satisfying way to express yourself beyond the daily grind.

🏫 5. Create Seamless Switches Between “Classes”

Schools put a lot of effort into the way students move between classes and school activities because these transition points can be problematic if not handled properly. It’s just as important to create smooth transitions between your personal and professional life. 

Do you have rituals or routines that help you ease into and out of work? It could be a morning walk to get started or a relaxing activity to wind down at the end of the day. These small rituals act as bridges between work and personal time, helping you switch gears smoothly and maintain balance, which in turn prevents burnout.

🎉 6. Celebrate Your Good Grades

Does the memory of Report Card Day create fear or excitement for you? You don’t have to answer that out loud. 😅 Thankfully we don’t get report cards, per se, as adults but we do have our progress tracked in different ways. 

We have a more uplifting idea- create a Success Portfolio for yourself. It could be something like a Visual Achievement Board (either physical or digital) where you pin up representations of your accomplishments—certificates, awards, notes of appreciation, or personal milestones like finishing a course or reaching a fitness goal.

I like to call mine a brag folder, and I keep it on my desktop. 😁

🍏 7. Improve Your Class Participation 

Participation isn’t just for the classroom—it’s essential for success in every aspect of life. Whether in meetings, family discussions, or social gatherings, actively engaging and sharing your ideas helps you make a meaningful impact. However, effective participation also means balancing your talking time with others, ensuring everyone has a chance to contribute.

Speaking up about your needs and desires, both at work and in your personal relationships, fosters better communication and stronger connections. When you take the initiative to contribute, you develop your leadership skills and build trust, making your voice a vital part of the conversation in all areas of your life.

Take the time to consider if there are areas where it would be helpful d to increase your communication and participation. Likewise, reflect on situations where it might be more beneficial to step back, listen, and allow others to have their voices heard.

Here’s to a great week for all of us, inside and outside the classroom!

Your Career Benders Coaches,

Angie, Acacia, and Tonya