If you thought staying motivated in the office during the winter was rough, that was nothing compared to the challenge of maintaining your productivity levels while you can’t stop daydreaming about the beach. We find ourselves longing for the days of our youth, when summers meant long nights chasing fireflies, and there wasn’t a responsibility in sight. If you find yourself struggling to stay motivated during the day, check out these tips to keep your summertime productivity at maximum levels.
Encourage Flexibility. We’re not talking about a mid-afternoon yoga session (although that is a great idea and we highly encourage it). Instead, consider making schedules more flexible to encourage and accommodate outside priorities. When employees feel that their workplace is supportive of their personal interests, it instills a sense of pride and loyalty. Flexibility doesn’t necessarily mean less work time, it just means changing up rigid work schedules to suit the needs of everyone in the workplace, so that you can get the most out of summer and still make positive and meaningful contributions in the workplace.
Take a Tech Break. If you’re spending your lunch break on your phone or computer, here’s some advice: don’t. It’s much better for your mind and body to take a break from the tech for a while. Our minds are constantly being bombarded with information at an alarming rate. It’s no wonder we find ourselves fatigued by the end of the day. Spend your lunch break doing something you enjoy that enriches your mind, body, and spirit. Have lunch with a friend or coworker, take a walk, read a book, anything that doesn’t involve checking your emails or mindlessly scrolling through social media.
Loosen Up. Summer is a time for sun, fun, and relaxation. That summertime feeling doesn’t always translate into workplace culture. But it should! Bring the summer fun to the office by hosting barbecues, game nights, or throw a party to celebrate sales and accomplishments made in the first half of the year. Host casual Fridays and give your employees an excuse to dust off their most ostentatious Hawaiian shirt. Liven your office up with a little summer fun and you’ll be amazed at how much morale improves.
Take it Outside. One of the hardest parts of working in the summer is the sense of feeling stuck inside when the weather is nice. So, take your work outside! Head to the nearest park or coffee shop and spend some time working in the fresh air and sun. Spending some time outdoors is bound to increase your productivity and energy levels so you can power through your day.
Take a Vacation. It may seem counterintuitive, but taking a vacation is proven to boost your productivity. We all need a chance to break away from the minutiae of everyday life and experience something new. You don’t have to break the bank to take a vacation. Even a 3 day weekend road trip or camping trip will do wonders for your body and spirit. Or have a staycation - stay home, do some work around the house, find time to rediscover your hobbies, and just relax. A little break from the ordinary might be all you need to break out of your slump and power through the rest of the summer.
