With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, your body is starting to tell you that summer vacation is around the corner. But because you aren’t in third grade anymore, you don’t get three months off just because it’s warm outside. Studies have shown that nice weather has a significantly negative effect on productivity. Luckily, this list of tips can help you fight your instincts and stay productive during those pleasant summer months.
Work Early
Sometimes, you just can’t fight it. It’s Friday at 3:30pm, the sun is shining and the restaurant across the street is having a “first-come, first-serve” ribs giveaway. Taking a break from your typical work schedule to enjoy some typical summer fun won’t be so devastating if you got all your important projects out of the way before noon. And with morning hours being the most motivating of the day, your commitment to getting work done early will always yield positive results.
Take Breaks
You aren’t Superman. If the draw of some vitamin D is causing you to stare at your computer screen rather than get work done, embrace it! Go for a quick walk in the middle of the day to rejuvenate your cells for a day of work. You’ll get your blood moving while satisfying your need for some summer exercise.
Cool Down
Your body is your main enemy against low energy. When your body is warm, you are further reminded of the nice weather outside. This pushes your mind to cookouts, beach days and baseball games rather than reports, presentations and projects. With the addition of a desk fan or drapes, you can trick your body into believing the summer months have come and gone in between your lunch break. If you have control of the air conditioning in your office, crank it down to a brisk 65 degrees and watch your to-do list dwindle before your very eyes.
Mix Up Your Schedule
Falling into a routine can slow anyone down. The key to success is change and in the summer, it’s even more important to keep your brain active and adapting to the world around you. Don’t take lunch at noon. Move it back to 1 PM and get that extra hour in the morning to stay productive through your many projects.
Track Work
The best way to keep yourself accountable for lagging at work is to track yourself. Once you see a visual representation of data showing how lazy you are during the summer, you’ll kick yourself into high gear and stay productive through August.