Simplify Your Summer Schedule
Ah, summer - warm days, vacations, and living and working at a relaxed pace. If that’s what you’re aiming for, you might want to simplify your summer schedule ahead of time by developing a business plan that will lighten your summer workload. This will require streamlining your operations and creating and optimizing the systems and processes in your business.
The first action step is to make sure you actually DO develop a summer business plan. Be intentional about what you want to get done and realistic about what you can really accomplish. Can you really take off six weeks without stressing over work that didn’t get done or money that won’t get made? Maybe you can, but the only way to find out is to create a realistic and simple summer schedule.
Here are some tactics to help you maximize your work hours so you can have time for summer fun, too.
Get your schedule in order
Mark off vacations,cookouts, and family gatherings. If you’re driving your kids to camp, schedule travel time. Ask the hard questions - is summer really the best time to start that big project? Maybe you just want to maintain your client work and business development activities. You can set the framework for bigger projects in September. Decide what days and times you want to be available for networking and coffee chats. Prepping your calendar gives you a clear view of the time available for work and play.
Commit to a weekly CEO Hour if you haven’t already
A weekly planning practice is the best way to maintain control of your time. It helps you focus in on what time you have available, plan effectively for the week, and prioritize your most important business tasks. This simple, 60-minute practice creates a strategy for how you use your time, rather than showing up daily just juggling whatever lands on your to-do list.
Block appropriate times for different types of work
When school is out, maybe mornings are quiet because your family sleeps in. Can you focus on “big brain” tasks in the mornings? Or will you accomplish more when everyone is out of the house? Use those 15 minutes in the pick up line to answer a few emails or follow up on some 1:1 networking calls.
If your “roommates” are up early, consider carpooling with other parents, or swapping days with a neighbor to watch each other’s kids so you can concentrate and use time effectively. And time for you counts, too. You can use time blocks for your own personal activities, not just business tasks.
Come clean about distractions
Not only will you have to handle existing distractions, but you will have to juggle seasonal distractions - beautiful weather, more people at home, and the temptation of signing off early and heading to the beach.
Eliminate digital interruptions - social media, texting, notifications on your monitor and/or phone, and email. Turn off notifications and close apps on all screens, including second monitors. Schedule time on your daily calendar to address these, along with daily correspondence.
Get your family on board
They can’t respect boundaries unless they are clear. Close your door when you don’t want to be disturbed. Add a “Do Not Disturb” sign to your door as a gentle reminder. Explain your definition of an emergency that warrants disturbing you.
Place a daily schedule of your availability in sight where people can see it easily, like in the kitchen. Assign chores. Create a Honey-Do list for your partner. More people at home makes for more messes. They also have more time to clean up after themselves.
Establish rules in advance - when and if they can leave the house, can they have friends over, guidelines around snacking and eating, etc.
Make some fun and inspiring lists together, so they know it’s not just about getting work done, it’s about doing it efficiently, so there’s time to enjoy the summer and the activities you put on these lists.
Bucket list - events and places you want to go and see
Summer goals list - learn to sail, take early morning walks, outdoor concerts
“I’m Bored” list - games, movies, or activities for rainy or busy work days
Embrace the Concept of Getting Help
So many busy entrepreneurs working at home hesitate to do this. The money you spend will be nothing compared to what you can earn in your protected and undisturbed time.
For business - Hire a VA that you can pay by the hour. Then you can adjust what you need moving forward at the end of the summer. Hire a bookkeeper. Even if you’re good with numbers, doing your books takes away time in the sun.
For home - There’s more to clean, which means more time. Hire a housecleaner. Even though you’ve set boundaries and rules, they’re still going to get broken. Hire a babysitter or an Au Pair to assure you can have the time you need to get things done. Have your groceries delivered, meal plan, and meal prep once a week.
You don’t have to do all of these, but make sure the ones you choose will be the ones that take the most off of your plate and relieve stress. Remember, they can all be temporary.
Additional tips:
Take breaks during the day for improved productivity
Use a timer for your work blocks
Wear headphones to block out noise
Keep your desk clean and organized
Batch your work tasks
Get ahead of your content
Simplify. Let go of perfection. Plan downtime and fun things in the same way you’re planning business priorities. We’re striving for balance, and sometimes summer balance requires a little more thought and planning. But it will be worth it.
I love seeing the success my clients have when they learn strategies to simplify their schedules, especially in the summer. Let’s hop on a call to see how I can help you with your summer planning.