Fighting the summer productivity blahs

I have the mid-summer blahs. It happens every year, and, even though I know it’s coming, there isn’t much to do to prevent it. It’s something I have to survive instead of avoid.

Maybe you get it, too? You look out your office window, see the glorious warm sun shining, and the last thing you want to do is work. You remember summers spent at camp or on a beach or running in the backyard at your grandmother’s house and your thoughts are overwhelmed with joyful nostalgia instead of the monthly report you have to produce for your boss. You want to be just about anywhere other than at your desk.

To survive these blahs and stay somewhat productive, I try to do the following things every day:

  • Get to my desk earlier in the day (for me, this is around 6:00 a.m.). I try to get as much work done as possible before other people start working. I have more energy than I’ll have later in the day, my phone doesn’t ring, no one e-mails, and it keeps me from feeling guilty when I totally zone out around 3:00 in the afternoon.
  • Do a lot of positive self-talking. My internal dialogue is typically: “Dude, you’re wasting time. Get your stuff done so you can go out and do something outside. The longer you procrastinate your work the less time you’ll have for whatever else it is you want to do.”
  • Have a clear plan for what needs to get done each day. Schedule brainy, thought-intensive action items for early in the day and more mindless stuff for the afternoon.
  • Avoid heavy lunches. If the meal is hard to digest, it often puts me right to sleep or into a zone. Lighter lunches don’t seem to have the same impact. This might be psychological, but, even if it is, I’m okay with that.

What do you do to survive the mid-summer blahs and keep on track with your work?

Posted by Erin on Jul 15, 2010 | Comments

27 comments posted

  1. Posted by Michele Connolly, Get Organized Wizard - 07/15/2010

    Here in Sydney it’s winter (fabulous work weather – I get all snuggled up in my faux-fur hoodie and fuchsia uggies and feel happy inside). But I relate to the summer productivity blahs for sure.

    I find it helps to take my laptop out of my office – sometimes to a cafe, sometimes just to the living room where I can cross my legs and work on the sofa.

    Somehow the change of scenery helps me feel fresher and more motivated. :)

  2. Posted by Thekla Richter - 07/15/2010

    I would say one way to stay productive is to plan to enjoy the heck out of summer. Plan some awesome warm-weather fun on evenings and weekends. Take a vacation. Get outside and enjoy a little sun and exercise on your lunch break with a short walk. Knowing that you have wonderful plans and are not depriving youself makes it easier to be all the more productive when it’s time to work.

  3. Posted by Marjory Thrash - 07/15/2010

    I teach summer classes, which pack the content of a 3 month semester into 1 month. That means we cover a week’s material into every 3 1/2 hour session. Neither my students nor I can sustain concentration doing 1 thing for that long. Instead, I vary the activities greatly – not only by what to do, but by how long to do it. For example, my 1st lecture might be 10 minutes, then I have the students complete verbal exercises for 5 minutes, then we’ll create notes on Blackboard for 7 minutes, then I’ll ask them to write for 12 minutes, then I’ll give them a 5 minute break and then lecture/create example for another 12 minutes. Every day we move from the classroom into a computer lab, but the time for that movement varies wildly – after 10 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours.

    From day to day, I want variation of activity, but nothing over 30 minutes before a change. During their composition sessions, I’ll get up every 12-15 minutes and simply walk through the computer lab. Virtually ALL students look up when the instructor comes by, so I’m creating another break without stopping the composition.

  4. Posted by WilliamB - 07/15/2010

    These are all great ideas, especially the second one. “Get these things done then I’m free all day!” I admit I miss that part of work – large organizations aren’t always as flexible about work hours.

  5. Posted by Sarah S. - 07/15/2010

    …Office window? Nope. But I do have a lovely printout of one. In it, the sky is always blue.

    Sometimes I do get cubicle crazy so I take a walk around the buildings. There are lots of big beautiful windows and plantings. Then I remember I live in South Texas, where it’s crazy hot outside and I’m in free air conditioning all day.

  6. Posted by M - 07/15/2010

    Part of the challenge is the heat and humidity can really zap one’s energy. With kids too, there is change in routines, such as camp p/u and drop off. There seems to be more kid activities in the summer, more runnign around to the beach, day trips.. which is fun, but lots to remember to pack. I give myself little deadlines. “you have 10 minutes to write a draft of a letter” then you can have an iced-coffee.. often the 10 minutes produces something that isn’t half bad.. and it is always easier to polish and edit from a first draft..Where we live the summer season is so short, so we are always rushing about trying to soak up every last drop. Can’t wait for fall.

  7. Posted by Laura @ PARING DOWN - 07/15/2010

    I have a variety of projects I’m trying to accomplish while I am off from my high school teaching assignment this summer.

    I try to schedule a variety of activities through the day: exercise for 1 hour, then work on touch up painting the bathroom for 1 hour, then work on lesson planning for one hour, then NAP for 1 hour, then make salsa in the kitchen for 1 hour.

    I tell myself I can do anything for one hour and then I don’t neglect the other things I want to do in order to accomplish one project.

  8. Posted by watercolor - 07/15/2010

    Well, summer here in the deep south is hot as all get out so I have no desire to be out in it, lol. Spring and Fall, however are a different story.

    As for the day, I mentally take forever to wake up so I do planning, filing, dealing with light paper work until I’m completely all awake and alert. That usually takes until 10 or so if I start at 8. Ideally, that’s when I start dealing with people. haha. I’m an afternoon person…. Late morning to about 4:30pm is my key get a ton of stuff done. Then I wind down, organize for the next day, fill out timesheet, make my lists and head home by 6 or so.

    What is great about summer is all the people taking their vacations and being gone. Why you’d go to the beach in July is beyond me when it is hotter there than here even. lol. But that’s fine. Means it is quieter here. And I’ll be gone in spring and fall when the weather is nice and everyone else is stressed out and full speed. See how I’ve worked that out? :) THAT is organization.

  9. Posted by Mletta - 07/15/2010

    Air conditioning. The major survival tool.

  10. Posted by Louise - 07/15/2010

    Erin, do you really call yourself “Dude”? :-)

  11. Posted by LilyX - 07/15/2010

    Summer here (Northern Italy) is miserable – 100 °F, high humidity. I always long for it to be over.

    I try to stay inside as much as I can, with the air conditioning on, of course, and I take a magnesium-potassium supplement. I shower twice a day, change clothes as soon as I feel sticky.
    I do some gardening from 8 to 9:30 am, when it’s most likely to be cooler. It boosts my mood.
    And I go on vacation on the Alps or, even better, in Ireland/Netherlands/Denmark… :)

  12. Posted by LilyX - 07/15/2010

    (Fortunately I work at home and I don’t have to meet people!)

  13. Posted by chacha1 - 07/15/2010

    As one of those who works in an office, air-conditioned by someone else, in Southern California, summertime doesn’t really have a psychological effect for me. In fact, I am LESS likely to want to go to the beach or the hiking trail in summer, because I know it will be a) hotter and b) chock full o’ kids. I’m at the age to want quiet and cool. :-)

  14. Posted by Erin Doland - 07/15/2010

    @Louise — Either “Dude” or “Rooney.” In my head, I am definitely NOT “Erin” :)

  15. Posted by Antonio Díaz - 07/15/2010

    It’s not psychological. More food = more work for the stomach = more blood needed by stomach = less blood for the brain = drowsiness. Simple.

  16. Posted by Joel - 07/15/2010

    Although it’s counterintuitive, I find that being able to see MORE of the beautiful weather outside makes it easier to deal with being inside.

    I spent a number of years working in a lab from which I could see little snatches of the outside world, which always made me wish I could be out in it.

    Now, I am very lucky to work in an office which is located on the river (literally ON the river… we are in a floating building). All I have to do is lift my eyes from my computer screen and I can watch the water go by, with wildlife and boats and sunshine and everything else. Granted, I spend a decent amount of time looking at it, but when I’m not looking I am able to focus very well on my work. Being able to see it kind of gets it out of my system.

  17. Posted by Kathryn Fenner - 07/15/2010

    Humans were not meant to be “productive” year round. In the heat of summer, they were meant to take it easy. Even in A/C, my body knows it’s hotter’n Hades outside down here in central South Carolina, and it wants to take a break. Why fight it? To every thing there is a season, and if you can, try to honor that!

  18. Posted by shazzah - 07/15/2010

    I just think about the 2 separate occasions in which I was unemployed for a year and a half. Then I think about how thankful I am to have a job (even one with a very crappy boss!), and I get back to the task at hand, hoping that my paltry part-time job will one day become full-time with benefits (ie paid vacation time)!

  19. Posted by mydivabydesign - The Diva's Home - 07/15/2010

    Having my husband home for vacation for a month has seriously thrown me off my schedule! Even the kids asked him when he was going back to work after the first week! :) (he says I am on vacation too) So I guess I will wait until next week to start being productive again! It’s good to rest.

  20. Posted by jan - 07/15/2010

    not everyone can do this but I concentrate different activities at different times of the year. In spring, I work on the yard and garden, when it gets too hot, I sew, and work on the yard in the fall, and then winter back to sewing. In between I add little bits of cooking and freezing and recycling. And uncluttering comes at the end of each of these activities.

  21. Posted by Chelle - 07/16/2010

    I completely understand the second one on your list. I often tell myself that the sooner I get my to-dos for the day done the sooner I can relax and read or play a game. It doesn’t always work, but I do my best and I try hard not to feel bad if I don’t get something done. That’s an important thing. If you feel bad you didn’t (for example) mow the yard today, you’re often not going to feel like doing it tomorrow even less!

  22. Posted by Royale - 07/16/2010

    I also start work really early and take Fridays off, so that I have mini-vacations all summer!

  23. Posted by Jessica - 07/16/2010

    A lot of productivity motivation seems to be based around the idea that a person has control over their schedule. What about those of us who are paid hourly and/or must be in our offices/workplaces during a certain time period? I occasionally struggle with productivity too but am unable to motivate myself by getting in early and leaving early.

    I find a lot of time management advice is geared towards those with flexible schedules, and it’s not terribly helpful when you work a job that doesn’t give you such freedom, a long lunch break (I have a paid 30 minute break which requires me to stay on the premises), or if you have a schedule that changes a lot (like in retail). I may not currently have a salaried job with that kind of freedom (I’d love one!), but I still have a need and desire to manage my time efficiently.

    Any advice for those of us with such jobs and schedules?

  24. Posted by Jessica - 07/16/2010

    I also wanted to add that I work with both hourly and salaried people, and it gets frustrating when our salaried people put in exactly 40 hours and leave 3 hours early every single Friday. Not only because those of us who are paid hourly wouldn’t mind being able to leave sooner occasionally (or wouldn’t mind the salaried peoples’ jobs…) but because these people are still needed in the building. They receive phone calls or are needed by the staff, but they are long gone. Our collective boss doesn’t seem to notice or care, but it does create friction among employees.

    Just my particular perspective.

  25. Posted by Jasmine - 07/16/2010

    All great suggestions for staying focused, but I have a suggestion: Rather than constantly fight the summer blahs, take some time out to embrace them. This is particularly easy if you have kids, but if you don’t, gather a group of friends or co-workers and set up a “playtime” of sorts to enjoy.

    Lay on the grass, stare at the clouds, and just take in the moment. Buy a bunch of Nerf guns or Super Soakers and play in the park. Take a swim or just drink some lemonade or iced tea by the pool. Ride your bike or take a nice walk or jog around the neighborhood.

    If you can work a bit of childlike playtime into your summer, it’s easier to go back to work with a fresh mind and a brightened spirit.

  26. Posted by Laetitia in Australia - 07/17/2010

    I live in coastal Queensland (now in the south-east corner; for three years before Christmas I was 1000 km north) where it is hot and humid in summer and cool and dry in winter. This means that it’s a blessing to be in air-conditioning in summer and I’m more likely to get the, “I wanna be outside!” times in winter – think brilliant deep blue skies and warm sunshine (provided you’re in a sheltered spot, not in the stiff chilly breeze).

  27. Posted by Anelly - 08/31/2010

    I know very well what are these blahs! I have them every summer especially before going in vacation. Spending my time in the office … and outside is so nice… I recently read an interesting article about how summer heat decrease productivity and makes us sluggish employees: http://blog.cyclope-series.com.....employees/

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