3 Tips to Stay Productive and Achieve Your Summer Goals

Written By Emily Bottegal, MS
 
laptop on table as an outdoor cafe
 

Summer is here, and while it’s a time for relaxation, longer days, and fun in the sun, it can also be a challenge to stay on track with your goals. Whether you’re a student, young adult, or parent with a flexible summer schedule, it's easy to get distracted by the appeal of leisure time. However, with the right strategies in place, you can continue making meaningful progress while enjoying the season. Let’s explore some practical tips to keep your goals on track this summer.

1. Set Clear, Realistic Goals with the SMART Framework

To achieve your summer goals, it’s essential to start with clear, realistic objectives. Without a solid plan, your goals can feel overwhelming or even unattainable. The SMART framework can help you break down your goals in a way that’s both actionable and achievable.

SMART Goals Breakdown:

  • Specific: Make your goal as clear and focused as possible.

  • Measurable: Break the goal into smaller, measurable milestones.

  • Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic given your summer schedule.

  • Relevant: Align your goal with your broader personal or professional aspirations.

  • Time-bound: Set a deadline or timeline for achieving your goal.

For example, instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” try something like, “I will walk 30 minutes every morning for the next four weeks.” Clear and realistic goals are easier to stay focused on and help maintain motivation throughout the summer.

Use Tools to Visualize Your Goals:

  • Todoist: Great for organizing tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress.

  • Pinterest: Create boards to visually represent your goals and stay inspired.

2. Manage Your Time Effectively with Strategic Planning

Summer can easily turn into a chaotic season without proper time management. To stay focused on your goals, it’s crucial to allocate dedicated time for your tasks, even amidst the distractions of the season.

Use Calendars to Plan Your Time

Make use of digital tools like Google Calendar or Apple Calendar to schedule specific times for goal-related tasks. By adding your commitments to your calendar, you’re more likely to stick to them and stay organized. Don't forget to also block time for relaxation or social activities.

The Pomodoro Technique

Another great tool for staying productive without burning out is the Pomodoro Technique. This method involves working in focused 25-minute intervals, followed by a short break. After several Pomodoro cycles, take a longer break to recharge. This technique helps maintain productivity while preventing mental fatigue.

3. Use Task Initiation and Accountability Tools

Maintaining motivation and consistency can be tough during the relaxed summer months, but there are tools and strategies that can help you stay on track.

Task Initiation: Set Reminders and Habit-Stacking

  • Set Reminders: Use your smartphone or smartwatch to set reminders for tasks. An alert can be a simple yet effective way to prompt you to start your work or activity.

  • Habit-Stacking: Combine new goals with existing routines. For example, if you want to exercise more, pair it with an already established habit, like walking your kids to the bus stop. This makes it easier to integrate new habits into your daily life.

Accountability: Stay Accountable to Your Goals

Accountability is a powerful tool for staying motivated. Share your goals with an accountability partner or use apps designed to track and motivate goal achievement:

  • Stickk: A goal commitment app where you can set a goal, track progress, and involve others in your journey.

  • Habitica: Turn your goal setting into a game where you can earn rewards for achieving your milestones.

Stay Flexible and Reflect

While staying accountable is essential, it’s also important to be flexible. Life changes, and so should your goals and timelines. Reflect on your progress regularly, celebrate your wins, and adjust as necessary.

Enjoy Summer While Staying Productive

Summer should be a season of balance—work toward your goals but also make time for relaxation. Remember to use time management tools, set realistic goals, and employ accountability strategies to keep you motivated. Most importantly, reflect on your success and allow time for self-care and flexibility.

If you’re finding it challenging to create or stick to your goals this summer, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our executive function coaching services are designed to help you stay on track and make the most of the summer months.

If you need help creating goals or sticking to them over the summer, contact us!  We are here to help.

Emily Bottegal, MS

Ensuring students achieve academic, social/emotional, and personal success, Emily has a passion to empower students to succeed in and out of the classroom. Emily coaches from a strength-based approach and believes every individual has the ability to achieve success with the appropriate support and skills in place. She has dedicated her professional life to working with youth in school and community settings. 

Prior to joining the team, Emily worked as a School Site Coordinator and Home-Based Counselor in the Washington, DC area. In these roles, Emily engaged directly with students through individual counseling sessions and small group interventions focused on helping students meet personal goals relating to academics and managing emotions. Her direct experience helped her to understand the challenges individuals face both academically and personally, ultimately leading to her developing lessons around time management, scheduling, study skills, and organization. 

Most recently, Emily worked at a nonprofit, helping secure specialized instruction and support necessary to improve educational outcomes for low-income children with learning disabilities and developmental delays.

Emily has a Master’s degree in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

http://www.lifesolvedcoaching.com/who-we-are
Previous

3 Effective Ways to Set Tech Boundaries for Summer Productivity and Focus
Next

3Tips for Rejuvenating Rest