4 Crazy Simple Things That Will Help Your Career In August

Is it hot and humid in here or is it me?

Ugh, the dog days of summer have arrived.

Maybe you are happily on vacation.

Or maybe you are stuck at your desk wishing you lived in somewhere that was 50 degrees cooler (or somewhere that comes with a swimming pool and ice cold cocktail at all times).

Either way, my guess is that you aren't 100% focused on your career right now, right?

But, before you get stressed out, please relax.

You don't have to spend a lot of time this August doing things in order to help your career out.

In fact, here are four simple things you can do while you wait for happy hour, mmm'kay?

1. Take a quick look at your budget, and set aside some "Networking" money for the fall.

You've heard the endless chorus about how important networking is to your career (need help with that by the way? Here's a fun and free video for you, if you are someone who'd rather hide than network).

So, why not help yourself out by setting aside some fun money that you can use on a variety of guilt-free networking options:

1. Happy hour money for drinks with colleagues after work.

2. Money for fall conferences in your industry that just might help kick-start the next phase of your career.

3. Even an extra $5 for coffee with someone from your network each week in September and October can go really far to opening up opportunity for yourself (and your brilliant next job)

2. Spend 5 minutes on google checking out upcoming events in your industry (or in the field you'd like to go to next!)

Yep, pull up google first and search on terms like "Interior design conferences" or "women in business conferences" or whatever other interest floats your boat.

Why?

Because late September, October, and early November is fall conference season.  It's between summer and winter holidays, and people are focused and on the job.

And tickets for those events are on sale...right now!

Next up, check out eventbrite.com and meetup.com to see if there's anything interesting happening in your area coming up in September. A lot of groups will be kicking off fall plans once the summer is over, and they'll start advertising now.  Get in the know early!

Finally, take some of that aforementioned guilt-free budget money and use it to purchase tickets, parking, or whatever you need to get out there and network.

Bamn. Networking managed, right from your desk!

3. Go to amazon and find a book that will give you a boost.

Maybe it's a book about a skill set you've been meaning to develop for your job. Maybe it's a book for personal development, time management, or even meditation.

Maybe it's something else!

But take a second right now and commit to reading and learning *something* new in the next couple of weeks, so that you'll finish up the summer with a new skill or new idea in your arsenal.

Lots of people are on vacation, often this is a slow month, so it's easy to get a few extra minutes to read worked into your daily commute (or at your office if things are REALLY slow).  A few minutes a day and you'll be done in no time!

4. Go to social media (Facebook, Twitter or hello, LinkedIn) and follow 5 new companies that you think are interesting.

Maybe they are competitors of where you work now, maybe they are dream companies, or maybe they just do something cool like Apple.

Follow what they are up to on social media for a few minutes each week. So many companies post jobs and opportunities there (sometimes ONLY there), so by building this habit, you'll be the first in the know.

And, you might be entertained as well!

Here's secret step #5 - if you are really hating on your job, why not spend a few minutes figuring out what you'd love to do instead?

Need help with that? Here's an amazing free workbook to help you find work you love, and you can grab it right here...CLICK.

Christie Mims is the founder of the Revolutionary Club, a Forbes Top 100 for careers. Named a top 29 career expert of 2016, she's on a mission to help YOU find work you love.  Join her free community for advice, support, and all kinds of career coaching.