How to motivate yourself to stay productive in summer too

When the sun is shining as temptingly as it is this summer, focusing on work is incredibly difficult. However, businesses have goals that even perfect weather cannot cancel. Therefore, company leaders must act even more intelligently to motivate employees not only to continue performing their duties but to work truly productively.

How can this be achieved in the current environment, where some employees still work remotely and are not even physically present? HR specialists have a few recommendations.

A more flexible schedule

Remote work has already taught managers to be understanding of employees' varying daily routines. In summer, it wouldn't hurt to become even more flexible. Why not agree on a more leisure-friendly schedule? For example, start work early in the morning, perhaps shortly after sunrise, declare a "siesta" in the middle of the day—typical of Southern Europeans—or a multi-hour lunch break, so that during the hottest time, one can splash in a body of water or simply take a nap in a hammock outdoors, and return to work in the late afternoon. Such a division creates the illusion of a short workday. Moreover, working early in the morning is traditionally very productive—the brain is rested and capable of making high-quality decisions, and there are few distractions around. Other household members are still sleeping, there is relatively little traffic outside the window, and the air temperature in the room is still lower.

You can also start work early in the morning, work for 6–7 hours, and finish in the early afternoon. Such a rest-oriented schedule will encourage 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, such as two summer months.

Goal, reward, new goal

Other options are also worth considering. For example, switching to a four-day work week by working 10 hours a day, so that three days are completely free. Or, give employees complete freedom in planning their schedule, while only setting weekly goals that must be strictly adhered to. This creates a sense of unlimited freedom while simultaneously helping to avoid getting carried away with excessive indulgence.

It is only important to agree on meeting times in advance so that everyone can schedule them and adjust their personal plans accordingly. Given that the mind is more inclined toward leisure at the end of the work week, the best time for meetings in summer conditions might be, for example, Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

HR specialists also suggest that each employee create a personal reward system. Specifically, divide daily tasks into several stages and, after reaching each mini-goal, reward yourself with a short break or entertainment. This will reduce the feeling of constant work. A larger goal also helps you pull yourself together, such as a planned vacation in two weeks. By identifying all the tasks to be completed before the break and planning them by day, it is easier to motivate yourself. After all, the opportunity to rest is waiting ahead.

More time outdoors

To improve the mood of office workers in the summer, you can create the opportunity to work on a terrace or in a courtyard, equipping these areas with umbrellas, electricity, and internet access. Naturally, you must ensure all necessary computer programs for performing work duties are available. Consequently, the role of cloud services among remote workers is increasing significantly. This was clearly visible in the early stages of the pandemic, when the demand for the ability to manage company document workflows grew extremely rapidly. Also, for a universal company management system Jumis Pro.

A change of environment can work wonders for employee motivation. Of course, provided the weather is pleasant. Heat, strong wind, or rain will likely hinder rather than help you work with joy.

It is equally important to think about entertainment options during work hours. By playing a few games of novuss with colleagues and eating ice cream from a snack machine installed on company premises, they will dive into their work with renewed vigor, as their minds will no longer be burdened by the thought that summer is being wasted in the office.

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