How to motivate yourself to work productively even in summer?

When the sun outside is as tempting as it is this summer, thinking about work becomes extremely difficult. However, business has its goals that cannot be postponed, even in excellent weather conditions. Therefore, company leaders must act even smarter to motivate employees not only to continue fulfilling their duties but also to work truly productively.

How can this be achieved in the current circumstances, when some employees are still working remotely and are not physically present? HR specialists have some suggestions.

More flexible schedule

Remote work has already taught managers to be understanding of employees' different daily schedules. In summer, it wouldn't hurt to become even more flexible. Why not agree on a schedule that is more conducive to relaxation? For example, starting work early in the morning, perhaps right after sunrise, declaring a midday siesta typical of Southern Europeans—a several-hour-long lunch break—to enjoy water activities during the hottest time or simply nap outside in a hammock, and returning to work in the evening. This division creates the illusion of a short work stint. Moreover, working early in the morning is traditionally very productive—the brain is rested and capable of making quality decisions, and there are fewer distractions. Other household members are still sleeping, there is relatively little movement outside, and the room temperature is still lower.

Another option is to start work early in the morning, work for 6-7 hours, and finish work early in the afternoon. Such a rest-oriented schedule encourages employees to mobilize and complete tasks as quickly as possible. Scientific studies also confirm that a shorter workday can increase productivity by up to 50%, provided that this deviation is practiced for a relatively short period—for example, two summer months.

Goal, reward, new goal

Other options are also worth considering. For instance, switching to a four-day workweek, working 10 hours a day to have three completely free days. Or giving employees complete freedom in planning their schedule, only setting weekly goals that must be strictly adhered to. This creates a sense of unlimited freedom while simultaneously helping to avoid excessive indulgence in that freedom.

It's important to agree on meeting times in advance so everyone can plan and adjust their personal schedules accordingly. Considering that the end of the workweek tends to lean more towards relaxation, the best time for meetings during summer might be, for example, Tuesday or Wednesday mornings.

HR specialists also recommend that each employee create a personal reward system. That is, dividing daily tasks into several stages and rewarding themselves with a short break or entertainment after achieving each mini-goal. This reduces the feeling of continuous work. A larger goal also helps to motivate oneself—for example, a planned vacation in two weeks. By identifying all the tasks to be completed before the break and planning them day by day, it becomes easier to motivate oneself to persevere. After all, the opportunity to relax awaits ahead.

More time outdoors

To improve the mood of office workers during summer, it is possible to create opportunities to work on the terrace or in the yard, equipping these places with sunshades, electricity, and internet connections. Naturally, all necessary computer programs for work duties must be ensured. Consequently, the role of cloud services becomes significantly more important for remote workers. This was clearly evident at the beginning of the pandemic when the demand for managing company document circulation grew extremely quickly. Also for the universal company management system Jumis Pro.

Changing the environment can work wonders for employee motivation. Of course, only if the weather conditions are pleasant. Heat, strong wind, or rain are more likely to hinder rather than help working with joy.

It's equally important to think about entertainment options during work hours. Playing a few rounds of novuss with colleagues and enjoying ice cream from the snack machine installed in the company premises will make them eagerly dive into work, as their minds will no longer be clouded by thoughts of summer being wasted in the office.

Remote workers should also try to spend as much time outdoors as possible, as emotionally, this is how summer is enjoyed—by being outside. Ask yourself—when have you felt like summer never happened? You'll recall those years when summer was distinctly cold and rainy, and also those when it passed on the other side of the window. Therefore, even a full workday with a laptop in the garden will make you feel like you're living in summer rather than waiting for a chance to experience it. And, as proven in many scientific studies, being in nature helps reduce stress levels.