Making the Most of Summer

We are going to keep today’s article shorter than normal. You know why? 

1. Yesterday was my birthday (hooray for 50!!) and John has whisked me away for a week in the Caribbean, so I’m completely offline. (so glorious)

2. It’s the first day of summer and you don’t need to be looking at a computer all day.

Okay, I know summer “officially” begins June 20th this year… but we all know that it’s actually Memorial Day (at least here in the States) that kicks off the summer season. 

Even if you still had kids slogging their way to school this morning, you and I both know that not a lot is happening there. You know why?? Because it’s summer!!! Teachers know it, kids know it. And, yes, you know it. 

Now, the day after Memorial Day is always marked on my calendar because I usually call a meeting with my team (ahem… except if I’m in the Caribbean of course…). The meeting is always focused on the same theme:

Now, I’m not asking my team because I’m trying to coordinate schedules or because I don't want to be irritated by last minute PTO requests… I’m asking because too often they have no plans.

WHAT??

No. Unacceptable.

(Seriously, that’s what I tell them.)

If you read my book The Joy of Missing Out, you know I say:

I like people running at full potential… and if you aren’t taking time to fill up your tank, you are running on empty – definitely not full potential. 

Now… the other thing that happens is that a lot of times people will say they have a family vacation planned. But that’s it. 

I love family vacations… I absolutely do. I think they’re really important and I’ve loved going on trips with my family of four. BUT family vacations are not very relaxing. (Read: You act as the activity cruise director and head meal coordinator all while harassing everyone to make sure they’ve applied sunscreen… .Yes?).

Can we agree, that’s not really the time away you fully need to really recharge?

So, here’s my challenge to you today: What are you doing to take a little time away for yourself this summer?

You don’t have to run away to the Caribbean to recharge…

Maybe it’s taking an extra long lunch break on Fridays (it is the least productive day of the week after all). 

OR

I could be  stealing away a little time to go for a walk for your mid-afternoon break (movement is an excellent break because it actually increases your productivity). 

OR

Perhaps taking a half day on Wednesdays to go learn something new (also proven to improve productivity… even when you are learning something not-related to work!).

Now, here’s the catch… you need to put these plans on your calendar. 

Immediately. 

As in, right now.

One time I forgot to make a hair appointment when I left the salon… 6 months passed before I made it back in. (true story). But that’s what happens. When we don’t write down our plans, they end up not happening.

The distance between dreams and reality is action.

So, take action today by setting up some time off on your calendar. Block it off as a doctor’s appointment, set up an autoresponder, do what needs to be done to make this shit happen.

Here’s to taking full advantage of summer,

PS. I just realized in my excitement over summer, I forgot to mention that the 300th episode of the podcast dropped today!!