Another year down! Next one starts… now.

If you’re anything like me, May 2 always feels like the greatest breath of fresh air.  You’ve worked hard for the last year, trying to provide the best customer service possible so that your product (the college) can stand as tall as possible.  I think what’s most exciting about May 2 is that it means that the days ahead are the start of something new and just as important.  It’s about starting the process all over again, and getting better at it at the same time.

So how will you approach your summer months?

I know that I am definitely excited about spending a little bit of time away from the office!  Don’t get me wrong, I love it here, but we all need the time to recharge our batteries and invest some major time with our friends and family.  If you’re like me, you’ll come back from your vacation on a bittersweet note: sad that vacation has passed, but ready to get some great new things done.

I also think summer is about investing in the culture of the office.  The last month before May 1 is crunch time around this place.  In Holland, the first week of May is all about Tulip Time, our annual festival devoted our Dutch heritage.  Since it nearly always coincides with the week following May 1, there is built-in excitement abounding campus and our nearby downtown area.  It’s a great time around Hope!

My professional goals for this summer

1. Continue to invest in my Twitter network. There are tons of great people out there who I can learn from, and with whom I can share some of what I’ve gathered over the last year or so.
2. Share with my colleagues. We all have a ton that we can share with each other, and I plan to host several sessions on Twitter, LinkedIn, RSS/Blogs, etc.  These are things that my job allows me to invest time in, but that my colleagues may have not had an opportunity to dive into at this point.
3. Develop my recruitment technique. How can I approach territory recruitment with the same kind of energy that social networking demands?  What books can I read to continue developing in this area?

The big deal for me: getting to read some books!

The recruitment cycle doesn’t always allow so much time for reading, so I’m planning to get through some of the books I’ve been meaning to read.  Some that are currently on the coffee table include (and are not limited to professional-related books):

• Covey, Stephen R.. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York City: Free Press, 2004
• Miller, Dan. 48 Days to the Work You Love. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2007.
• Ramsey, Dave. More than Enough: The Ten Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny. Boston: Penguin (Non-Classics), 2002.

So that’s what I’m thinking about as our “summer” kicks off — what will it bring for you?  Do you have some book suggestions to share?