Our tips to stay motivated at work during the summer

Table of Content:

Take advantage of summer to re-optimise your work(ing time)
Work on what you usually don’t have time for during the rest of the year
Strengthen your network and your relationship with your colleagues
Anticipate the end of summer and prepare for the busy season
Just enjoy and go out!

Summer is the best time for you to relax and enjoy your free time. The days are longer and the weather is much better, but the sad reality is that the summer months are often associated with a slowdown in productivity. In fact, according to a study by Captivate Network, productivity can drop by 20% during the summer months and 45% of employees are more distracted at work.

The question is: how can you stay motivated at work during the summer? Sounds like a challenge, doesn’t it?

Here are our 5 tips on how to stay motivated at work during the summer:

1. Take advantage of summer to re-optimise your work(ing time)

The beautiful weather, the longer days, and your colleagues posting stories of their holidays can influence your mood and your motivation during the summer months. But this is ok to be a little less efficient and to want to work less during the summer months.

One of the solutions to still be able to work on your projects and stay motivated at work during the summer is to re-optimise your work. Try to focus 100% for 30 minutes and allow yourself to have a 5-minute break after.

If you are working from home, enjoy a longer lunch break in the sun and work later in the evening. You will have at least the feeling that you didn’t just spend your day inside but that you also enjoyed some outdoor quality time.

You can also set specific goals for yourself. Set up a list of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks that you want to complete. For example, if you’re working on a project for the company, you could specify the number of hours that you want to dedicate to it each day.

The key is to make your goals concrete and straightforward. It’s also a good idea to set a deadline for each task so that you will have an idea of when you need to complete it. With this in mind, it will be much easier for you to stay motivated at work during the summer because you will see the finish line in sight.

You will see that at the end of the day, you will achieve what you planned to do.

2. Work on what you usually don’t have time for during the rest of the year

Take this occasion and this lower rhythm to do what you don’t have time to do during the rest of the year. It is also the perfect moment to catch up with all the projects you are late on. With colleagues and clients on holiday, you will have more time to work on these side projects. Indeed, being and feeling late is a motivation restraint and it won’t help you to stay motivated at work during the summer.

We all have a to-do list of less important tasks that we never do. Empty your mailbox, clean your desk, and finalise your projects. This summer is the time!

Doing them during summer will save you time from September onwards when the office will work 100% again.

3. Strengthen your network and your relationship with your colleagues

A good relationship with your colleagues has a big influence on your mood and staying motivated at work during the summer.

With fewer people at the office or during lunchtime, you can take the occasion to get closer to some colleagues you don’t know much. The atmosphere is usually more casual, and it can be easier to meet new colleagues. Organise a lunch outside or a drink after work.

It can also be a good time to talk with your boss or your manager about your work for the rest of the year. Or to finally dare to discuss your problems with a colleague you don’t get along with.

4. Anticipate the end of summer and prepare for the busy season

Plan your projects for the rest of the year before your holidays and while the office is quieter. It will be more complicated for you to organise your work and plan the rest of the year coming back from 2 weeks of holidays!

Anticipate it and plan what you will do after your holidays. That way you will also enjoy your holidays more peacefully and fully relax.

Summer can also be a great time to start preparing for a presentation or a big project. Being prepared for the busy season will keep you and/or your employees motivated, especially since they know that they will be busier in the coming months.

5. Just enjoy and go out!

Summer and its long days don’t last forever. Come early to work, leave earlier, and simply enjoy the good weather outside. If you live in a region with very hot weather, it can be complicated to focus under the heat.

Take this occasion to come earlier to work if your company allows it. The freshness of the morning and a clear blue sky will give you a good mood.

This may sound counter-intuitive, but taking a vacation in the summer can also help you to stay motivated at work during the summer. Taking Holidays will help you clear your mind. You will be able to come back to work with a fresh perspective. Taking a vacation will also help you and/or your employees because they will be happier when they return to work.

The main solution to stay motivated at work during the summer is to take it easy. This is the time of the year when the rhythm is quieter and when you can reduce your speed and stress.

Enjoy the sun, meet your colleagues or clients outside on a terrace, re-organise your work and finish the things you never have time for. You will start the rest of the year fit and relaxed!

The summer holidays can also be a good time to re-think your work and your career. If you cannot find ways to stay motivated at work during the summer, even following our tips, maybe it is time for you to find new professional opportunities. You can CONTACT our consultants at LHC International to talk about it. They will help you find your way and maybe a new job.