There’s something magical about the first deep breath you take when you step out of the car and into the warm air of lake country. Birds chirping, kids laughing in the distance, and the scent of sunscreen and pine needles mark the beginning of a long-anticipated break (and hopefully, no blue-green algae!). But if you’re anything like many modern consultants or on Paradigm’s Business Development Team, “vacation mode” doesn’t mean completely disconnecting from personal development or professional relationships. It just means being more intentional about how we do it so we can all enjoy our short Prairie summer months.
Upskilling From the Dock
Being a consultant means staying sharp, whether you’re in the boardroom or sitting on a dock with your feet in the water. The good news? You don’t have to choose between personal growth and personal time.
Here are a few ways to keep that edge sharp, without compromising on your downtime:
- Microlearning on the Go: Podcasts, short courses, and audiobooks are ideal for summer listening. Whether it’s brushing up on change management strategies or learning about the future of AI in consulting, you can expand your learning while walking the shoreline or paddling the canoe. Paradigm offers learning on-the-go through our learning platform, EDGE, which allows our employees and consultants the chance to upskill on a hike, around the fire, or between fishing casts!
- Digital Reading Lists: Download those whitepapers, newsletters, or eBooks you’ve been putting off. Reading a case study under a beach umbrella beats cramming it into a packed workweek.
- Reflective Journaling: Bring a notebook to the cabin or campsite. Use the slower pace to reflect on client wins, challenges, and lessons from the year so far. It’s amazing how clarity finds you when you’re surrounded by nature.
Reimagining Summer Connections
Summer doesn’t need to stall momentum with colleagues, clients, or industry peers. It just calls for a different rhythm. Instead of defaulting to yet another virtual call or a formal coffee chat, consider these warm-weather alternatives:
- Walking Meetings: Propose a walking meeting, even if it’s virtual. Lace up your sneakers, and have that check-in while both of you get outside. It’s a refreshing change of pace that encourages creative thinking and authentic conversation.
- Picnic or Patio Check-ins: If you’re in the same city or town as a client or colleague, invite them for a patio lunch or lakeside visit instead of a traditional office meeting. These relaxed environments foster deeper connection and trust in a relaxed environment. Plus, you can check out that awesome small-town bakery or cafe that has the best sweet treats in town!
- “Office Hours” Mindset: Block off a couple of relaxed hours each week where you’re open to casual chats, networking calls, or mentoring conversations. Let people know you’re in summer mode but still available. Then let the rest of your calendar breathe.
Consultants Are Human, Too
Summer is a beautiful reminder that we’re not just professionals. We’re people with lives, families, and passions. Finding joy and balance during this season is just as important as staying sharp. When we give ourselves space to recharge, our work becomes more creative, our connections more authentic, and our learning more inspired.
So here’s to the consultant lifestyle. A beach chair can double as a classroom, a dockside walk becomes a strategy session, and summer is both a break and a breakthrough.