It’s summer you want to relax, have fun – yet there is work responsibilities, volunteer obligations, family issues, your physical and mental health. If this sounds like your life or someone’s you know, here are a few hints on how to be productive when you’d rather be playing……

1) Set 3 goals for the day and be realistic. When you follow through on what you intended to do, you will feel great. Should you want to stop worrying about what you ‘should’ do so you can finish what you need to do and start doing what you want to do — check out a book by Sarah Knight “Get your Sh*t Together”.

2) Energize your Brain. The Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism suggests that dehydration can effect cognition, alertness and concentration. Also, small bursts of exercise helps to make you feel sharper. Take periodic breaks to take a walk, use the stairs, and aways carry a water bottle.

3) Curb distractions. If you want to see what your friends have been during the summer, don’t fight it, check social medias sites with intention then close that app and put the phone away. Leave a message on your phone or email account, with information that you will be responding during a certain time period, thus helping you to avoid interruptions.

4) Start a time journal. Write down how you spend every minute of every day (at least for a period of three days) to find out when distractions creep into your day. You may already know when you are most productive and when you are in need for a nap, schedule your time accordingly.

5) Maybe you just don’t feel like it. You might think that muscling through the Monday thru Friday work day while others are on vacation will make you stronger. Instead, simply admit how you are feeling, and that you are experiencing negative or jealous thoughts. When that happens change your thought and your physical self by stating a positive out loud. Example: ‘I’m so glad I am working on this project and I’m looking forward to my vacation next month.” Bystatingapositiveoutloud,yourenergyexperiencesashiftandyour emotions are pushed in a new direction.

6)Overwhelmed? InformationfoundinpublicationssuchasStephenCovey’s “First Things First” or “My Desk is Making me Crazy” by Sue Rassmussen offer time management, prioritization ideas and helps you gain the balance you are seeking during now, during any summer as well as in life.

7) Plan a vacation day. Even one day will give you something to look forward to and bring peace into all the days leading up to the occasion. Then, instead of providing a long drawn out explain of how you juggled everything, you too will have positive experiences to share with your work colleagues and friends.

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!