In our busy and fast-paced world, summer is often the time when children are out of school, people travel, weddings and graduations take place, and family reunions take place. It’s a time when the hectic pace of work slows down a bit, simply because the people who normally drive are taking a break. This puts you in the driver’s seat! This gives you the opportunity to take advantage of downtime and position yourself better so you can play your best when the pace picks up in the fall.

To help you, I want to give you five strategies on how to maximize this “season” when you or others (clients, co-workers, vendors, etc.) are away so you’ll be prepared to “get paid” for the rest of the time. year!

1. Rest. The concept of periodicity means that you allow your body to rest, wake up and recharge (or train) so that you achieve maximum energy and the results you want during the periods that require you to put in the most effort. If you continue at 150 mph 24/7, you’ll run out. More importantly, you won’t get the results you want. Therefore, plan time every summer for a rest period. (For workaholics, resting means no voicemail, no email, no clients, no “work mode,” and no less-than-pleasant initiatives.) Shut down 100% work while on vacation! If you do, your ability to sprint at full strength when you return will be doubled.

2. Clean. The days before you go on vacation are a good time to make a plan of action for when you return. Your release date is a deadline that probably won’t change. Start by challenging yourself to sort through the emails, do all the follow-ups, and close any open loops before you leave. As you do this, make a list for when you return of what you will do next. If you want to be more productive, schedule what you’ll do and when, so you can quickly resume your work habits when you return.

3. Schedule a time to “catch up.” If you can, allow for a “phase-in” plan that gives you personal time at the office to check email, mail, and other things that have built up while you were gone. People often return to a full schedule with no time to “reset” which is why they work on vacation. Resist the urge to work while you’re away. Instead, plan for the inevitable chaos when you return: block off part of the day when you first return to catch up.

4. Create a project plan. This season, if you are not going to be traveling and are staying in the office while others are away, you may find yourself in the “summer quiets”. Before this slower season arrives, have a plan for what you want to accomplish during the downtime. This is their “off season”. Use this time to do projects that are important but not urgent: This is the time for projects that you never seem to get around to, like updating your website, reading, taking personal development classes, etc. Know ahead of time how you’ll use this time so you’ll be prepared to dive into these projects once the slower season hits.

5. Take “time off” at home. Take a week off at home. Put aside all those long-term projects, chores, and yard work. Spend a full week clearing up all the tolerances that keep you frustrated and discouraged, like fixing the printer that always prints crooked, organizing your pots and pans, buying a calendar to organize your family, or moving the chair you stubbed your toe. in every morning. Plan a week where your focus is on streamlining, simplifying, and organizing your home and personal life so that you can get on with the rest of the year!

Remember to allow yourself a real break, clear the clutter before you leave and have a plan for how you’ll handle coming back, use the slower season productively at the office, and clean up loose ends at home. When you are active and intentional during this slower season, employing the strategies we have discussed here today, you too will have a successful and winning year!

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