Summer has a funny way of changing our perspective.
The days are a little longer. The pace slows down. Calendars suddenly have vacation blocks, Summer Fridays, and “out of office” messages become the norm.
For many people, summer provides an escape from work – an opportunity to re-energize.
But what if it could also be the season where you become better?
One of the things I love about CliftonStrengths is that it reminds us our talents don’t take a vacation. In fact, they’re often easier to see when we’re outside our normal routines.
Think about it. Have you ever gone on vacation with friends….
and noticed that one person naturally organizes every activity? They’re researching restaurants months in advance, coordinating transportation, and making sure everyone knows where to be. That’s likely someone leading with themes like Arranger or Responsibility.
and noticed, someone else is chatting with strangers by the pool, making friends with the bartender, and somehow leaving with invitations to three new places to visit. Hello, Woo and Communication.
and notice someone is perfectly content sitting on the beach with a stack of books while everyone else is searching for excitement. That’s Learner, Input, or Intellection getting exactly what they need to recharge.
None of these approaches are “right.” They’re simply different expressions of people’s natural strengths and the beauty of summer is that it gives us the opportunity to notice these patterns because we’re not operating on autopilot.
And here’s where it gets interesting. The same strengths that show up on vacation are the ones you bring back to work.
If you’re naturally the planner on vacation, you’re probably the one who thrives at coordinating complex projects. If you’re the connector who makes friends everywhere you go, you likely build relationships with clients and colleagues just as easily. If you’re the person who needs quiet mornings and time to think, chances are your best ideas don’t happen in back-to-back meetings—they happen when you have space to reflect.
Summer can become a strengths laboratory. Pay attention to what energizes you.
Ask yourself:
- What role do I naturally play in a group?
- What activities leave me feeling more energized than when I started?
- What do other people keep asking me to do?
Those answers often point directly to your greatest talents.
When September rolls around, don’t leave those insights behind with your flip-flops. Bring them back with you.
Look for ways to design your work around what naturally gives you energy instead of what simply fills your calendar.
Because the goal isn’t to become someone different. It’s to become more of who you already are. And sometimes, all it takes is a little sunshine to see your strengths more clearly.