How to use downtime to your advantage by working on personal and professional improvement.
Every player spends time on the bench from time to time. Some will use that time to rest and relax, perhaps even have fun. Whilst others will use that time to refine, improve, and prepare for when they go back into the game. Who will have more success when they return to the game? Which one are you?
What you do on the bench matters. When you are fortunate enough to have some bench time, take advantage of that time and your future self will thank you. Here are four ways you can use the bench to maximize your development.
Research
Be curious and expand your knowledge. Learn more about your company, different approaches to things you are responsible for. If you service clients, learn more about those clients, their industry, their competitors. Look at emerging trends in your field of expertise. Whatever you learn will broaden your knowledge and you will start to develop the personal qualities necessary for professional excellence.
Review Processes
Is the way you are supposed to do your job the way you are really doing it? If the process doesn’t match that reality it’s time to update the process. Are you doing something that is particularly efficient or has high success and is it documented? Offer to take it on. This type of activity not only shows initiative it shows engagement and continuous improvement. These traits give you a competitive advantage because they show your commitment to improving.
Get Social
Gather articles relevant to your line of business and start to build a library of social media items to share. Spend time commenting on the posts of people you are connected to and start engaging. Reconnect with past colleagues with a brief update. Write an article based on something interesting that recently happened to you. Comment on blog articles to further get your name out there. Work on your professional brand because it will impact the perception others have of you.
Connection Building
Pick up the phone and start calling colleagues and peers that aren’t in your area. Reconnect and get to know them. Ask what they’ve been up to, how they are doing, inform them what you’ve been accomplishing, share ideas, and collaborate. This puts you top of mind, and as a bonus it makes them feel good because you took an interest, showed they mattered, and took time to reach out.
No matter the reason, we all end up benched from time to time. Don’t let it set you back. Disallow the feelings of guilt and failure. Get engaged, get excited, and become enthusiastic by committing to your personal and professional development during your bench time.
Last updated on September 14th, 2020 at 06:05 am
