It can be hard to stay motivated during the warm summer months. When the temperatures go up, your career drive can often go down.
Many of us would rather be outside than at our desks. And with kids out of school and families taking vacations at every turn, it can feel extra difficult to head to the office every day.
If you would prefer the pool to your office water cooler, you are not alone. Unfortunately, work continues year-round, and it is important to find ways to remain motivated and avoid the summer blues.
Below are several tips and tricks on how to keep your career drive alive during the summer:
Spend Bursts of Time Outside
You may be stuck at your desk for most of the workday, but that doesn’t mean you can never see the sun. During the summer months, aim to spend a few short bursts of time outside during the workday.
Ideas to get you started include arriving at work fifteen minutes early to take a walk around the block, eating your lunch at a nearby park, or taking a mid-afternoon break with your coworkers outside your building. Your department may even be willing to hold a meeting or two in a courtyard or on the grass!
You will definitely feel better if you break up your workday with short blocks of time spent outside.
Plan a Short Getaway
During the summer months, many people take time off work for travel and family vacations.
If you spend your work weeks daydreaming about lounging on a beach, it will be harder to remain focused. Instead, save up for a short trip that you can take at some point during the summer. Even if a long, expensive trip is not in the cards for you, you can still plan a weekend getaway somewhere nearby.
Mark the date on your calendar and then commit to staying focused on your work until the week of your trip.
Make the Most of Your Mornings and Evenings
Summer means longer days and sunsets that don’t happen until long after dinnertime is over. To help keep your drive and focus while you are at work during the day, learn to make the most of the hours you spend away from the office.
Try waking up earlier to run, walk, or swim outside before work. If evenings are more your speed, schedule an outdoor or summertime activity several nights each week for you to look forward to.
You will be more motivated to get your work done during the day if you have fun incentives planned for your other waking hours.
Pitch In Around the Office
You may find that your coworkers use more vacation time than usual during the summer months to accommodate their family vacations. When more people are out of the office, it is an excellent time to pitch in and learn new skills.
To help keep your drive alive in the summertime, see if there are extra tasks you can assist with or different departments who perhaps need a helping hand.
Summer can be the perfect time to expand your knowledge base and dabble in other career avenues you may not otherwise get to experience.
Bring Summer to You
With a little practice, productivity at work and summertime fun can go hand in hand. Although you may feel stuck under fluorescent lights, you can easily bring little pops of summer and the outdoors right to your very office.
Try adding plants, flowers, postcards, seashells, or other decorations to your desk area to help lift your mood. Plan a tropical-themed happy hour or company party. Or spend time outside or at a nearby beach with your coworkers.
Staying motivated during the summer can be difficult, but it does not have to be impossible. Take a few moments each day to enjoy the sun and the beautiful weather, and then remind yourself why focusing on your job is important to you.
By making time for both career goals and relaxation, you can have a balanced, productive summer!
