Summer is officially here. How can we tell? The days are longer, the kids are off of school, and families are finally taking those long awaited vacations. While it is necessary to take a break to reduce stress and increase productivity (check out our post Time Out! Why Taking Time Out for Yourself is Important for more on this topic), it is also important to stay motivated during these long summer days. At ATI, we know this can be tough! That’s why we have compiled this list of ways to stay motivated this summer.
Create your own quitting time.
There are a plethora of tasks that may make up your day, from work to school to caring for your family. With all of this going on it can sometimes feel like you are working around the clock. However, it is healthy (and necessary!) to carve out leisure time. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘Sunday is a family day,’ or ‘After 8pm, no more work.’ Creating your own quitting time will ensure that you get the rest and relaxation you need to make it through the summer at the top of your game.
Stick to your vision board.
Write your vision down. Create a collage. Print out a picture that represents what you are striving for and post it on your refrigerator. Tell your goals to a loved one. These are just a few ways that you can make your vision a bit more tangible. The next step, especially now in the middle of the summer, is to return to your vision. Read it over again. Imagine what your life will look like once you achieve your goals. Whatever you do, don’t lose sight of your vision.
Dress the part.
It can be tempting to dress more casually in the summer. Warm weather and laid back summer vibes can make it tough to put on your work clothes. Yet, there is a correlation between how we dress and the way we work. Therefore, dress the part for your field of study and keep your motivation up.
Enjoy small summer pleasures.
It’s hot in the summer. What is the best remedy when it’s hot? Ice cream! Or maybe a quick dip in the community pool! Don’t underestimate these small summer pleasures. We know it can be tough to balance these summer pleasures when you are also trying to stay on track, but the keyword here is “balance“. A little indulgence can go a long way when it comes to balancing work and pleasure.
Set reasonable goals and reward yourself.
Make a list of your goals in order of importance to you. After achieving a goal, reward yourself. Take a weekend trip to the coast or out into the country. Upon achieving another goal, enjoy the longer days and warmer nights with a barbecue with friends. There is no reason you can’t let off steam when public holidays or end-of-programs do come along. Oh, and did we mention ice cream?
Look on the bright side: the summer days are longer and give us more daylight and time to balance all we need to get done, including enjoyment. So, heed the above recommendations and use them to your advantage. It will be worth it in the long run.
At ATI in Las Vegas, Nevada, we value your time, energy and commitment. We commit to going the distance to make a difference with you, even during the summer months.
Got questions? We’re here to help. Contact us now and follow us on Facebook today to ensure that you make it through the heat.