Summer 2010 really crept up this year.
Massive temperature swings, weird rain storms, and economic and other distractions (like World Cup and oil spills) made the transition from winter to spring to summer just fly by. (It didn't help much that I just spent a week in Alaska.) Can 2010 REALLY be half over?
Before you're trading in your flip flops for UGGS again, make sure you take some time in your business to smell the iced coffee and enjoy some of the wonderful things that summer used to offer before we all became chained to Blackberries and iPhones.
- If you can get away with it in your business, declare one day a week as "grunge day." Shorts and tee shirts are fine. Break at least one of these taboos (but probably not the bathing suit or smelly clothes rule). Serve ice pops or other summer treat that afternoon for a sweet rush and bonding experience.
- Get the hell outta your office from time to time. See my blog on that topic.
- Unplug (TRULY unplug -- See Reboot's "Sabbath Manifesto") for a few hours and spend time with friends and family, preferably somewhere fun. You will return to work refreshed.
- Use slow time (if you have any) to catch up on projects that languish all year long. Take advantage (but not in an abusive way) of the fleets of high school and college interns hungering for work experience. (But consider the pros and cons of summer interns. See "My Butt Itches" for a real life story!)
And even if you set goals all year-round, create some special "Summer Goals" that make these months a special time. Imagine you're back in school and have to write an essay in September called, "What I Did During the Summer of 2010." Do you want it to say boring things like "I sat at my desk and stared at my P&L" OR "I cleaned-up my database, met some prospective clients, trained two fantastic college kids, worked one day from the pool, relaxed a little, and was able to wiggle my toes at least one day a week?" You choose.
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