6 Tips to Stay Motivated and Productive this Summer
Lisa Hirst Carnes | June 2023
As temperatures rise, it’s easy to get sucked in by the allure of sunny days, causing productivity at work to take a hit (especially in Minnesota).
But. there are ways to have your cake and eat it too. Believe it or not, you can maintain focus, stay productive, and have many summer adventures. We’ll cover strategies to boost your productivity and make time to have a great summer.
Get Up Early
You know that old saying, “The early bird gets the worm?”
Well, it’s true!
Waking up early can improve productivity in several ways (too many to list!)
First, it lets you start the day with a clear mind and sets the tone for your day. Without distractions, you’ll be able to focus on tasks that need your full attention.
If you’re like me, waking up early gives you time to start the day with a grounding activity, like yoga or a walk. This is the perfect recipe for creating a calm mind that can focus like a badass.
Finally, getting an early start gives you extra time if something unexpected comes up during the day.
Set Clear Expectations
Setting clear expectations helps boost productivity.
First, they will help you focus and organize your tasks. Knowing what you need to achieve gives you a set path to follow, which will help you manage your time. This is especially important if you’re working remote.
Clear expectations clarify what being successful in your role looks like.
If you manage a team, clear expectations allow employees to take ownership of their work. This communicates trust, creating an environment of accountability.
Schedule Your Fun!
I know. Scheduling “fun” sounds a little like “forced family fun time.” But, if you’re like me and have a summer bucket list, scheduling things out can help make it a reality.
Scheduling activities can make you more productive at work by giving you a much needed break during the day or something to look forward to.
Another benefit is that it allows you to develop better time management skills. By building and sticking to a routine, you can learn to organize your day and allow enough time for work and play.
Change of Scenery
I just got a new Mac. I love it. My trusty old Macbook Pro had stopped holding a charge, meaning it always needed to be plugged in. This one little bit of friction kept me from working outside, at coffee shops, etc.
This morning, I headed to Disco Death, a coffee shop in my neighborhood, got myself an iced banana latte, and settled in for a 90-minute work jag.
I’m not sure if it was the caffeine, the fact that I went to complete a specific task, or the change of scenery, but I got a lot done. Like- a lot.
Keep Your Workspace Tidy
Like a to-do list, keeping your workspace tidy allows you to focus without distraction.
I usually clean up my workspace at the end of the day by putting things away and filing or recycling any paper.
I start each morning by wiping my desk area with my favorite cleaner, Florida Water. It smells so good and promotes a sense of calm and order that helps me stay productive throughout the day.
Prep Your Todo List
Recently, I started creating my “tomorrow” to-do list at the end of the day. I started using the personal knowledge management system (PKM), Roam, earlier this year. Yay, it looks like that habit has stuck! Anyway, back to this post. Now, I create my todo list at the end of each day in Roam.
Creating your list the day before gives you a clear picture of what tasks are most urgent and need to get done first. This allows you to prioritize your tasks to focus on getting the most important tasks done.
Finally, a “tomorrow” to-do list helps you mentally prepare for the next day and hit the ground running.
