So you’ve finally completed your educational goals, moved up the professional ladder, and are well established in your career. Exhale. Now let’s work on strengthening your personal resume. When you meet a potential date, think of what you have to offer in addition to your professional success. And if you can’t think of much beyond work that fulfills you, here are 9 quick suggestions to make your answer to “So what do you like to do?” a little more interesting:
1) Start taking short trips to interesting places just for fun.
2) Take up a class of interest whether tennis or golf, martial arts, a cooking class, even music or art lessons.
3) Check the best seller list for interesting books and pick one that you find interesting. Always a good segue for great conversation with other book readers. You might even want to join a co-ed book club.
4) Join a gym if you haven’t already. For all of the multi-taskers, the gym helps keep you stay fit and like it or not, it’s a great way to meet new connections and increase your social community.
5) If you’re a wine drinker, travel to a vineyard or a local wine tasting and learn more about different wines. It will be fun to try new types and on dates it’s always sexy to have a good mental wine library.
6) Take a different route home and explore your surroundings in search of interesting restaurants or places of interest that are off the beaten path. Stop and walk in. You will be surprised at all the gems that are so close to home.
7) If you are a spiritual person, deepen your faith connection. It will help you re-establish the things that keep you grounded and the principles you believe in.
8) Explore the arts. Check online for interesting concerts, museums, or art exhibits and attend at least 1 per month.
9) For the real thrill seekers at heart, challenge yourself! What have you always wanted to do but fear has gotten the best of you. Go for it! That sense of personal accomplishment is so liberating. It can also add closure and celebrate the milestones you’ve overcome.
So which one will you start first? Check off the items you’ve completed and keep a log along the way of all the exciting endeavors you’ve added to your personal resume to be reviewed with pride at the end of the year. You’re well on your way to balancing the scale of your professional success with all of the fun things that make you, you! Who knows how this will transition into your new relationship. What we do know is you will have a lot more to offer and that man or woman of your dreams will appreciate sharing in the things you love to do.
Here’s to love!!