Experiencing Summer Slump On The First Day Of Summer? Seven Ways To Stay On Top Of Your Design Game

Jun 20, 2012 by Jennergy    No Comments    Posted under: Design Tips

Believe it or not, summer is officially here, and with it the itch to go play. Nice weather beckons barbecues and beach visits, road trips and family get-togethers. Unfortunately, all these things can be very demotivating when it comes to working, especially if you run your own business or depend on freelance for your income.

That little glimpse of sunshine out the window on a Monday can certainly kill your productivity for the day, and the prospect of working through a beautiful summer day can sometimes be too much to bear. Follow these seven ideas and youʼll enjoy a productive, creative, fun summer! And as always, if you have ideas for us, please post them in the comments below this article.

1. Keep written daily goals
It can be difficult to remember all your required tasks for the day when a friend calls up to invite you to go to the beach, but if you keep a written task list for every day, youʼll have an easier time remembering what your dayʼs agenda was. Itʼll also help you judge whether youʼll need to work all day, or if you can make it a half day. We write a list everyday (and sometimes every hour) of all the tasks we need to complete before the day, week, or month is out. This is a great way to stay on task. If you get all daily tasks done and then want to leave work early — you can do so guilt free.

2. Change to a summer schedule
Consider working extra hours Monday through Thursday so you can work half the day on Friday, thus stretching your weekend a little. Every year, we ourselves switch to a summer schedule just to change things up a bit, and have the opportunity to spend long weekends with our families. It’s a great break from the same-old-same-old. Come fall, we are often ready to go back to business as usual. But just that short difference in timing really helps break up the monotony.

3. Take a class at the School of Visual Concepts
If youʼre really feeling unmotivated to work, but want to keep your design skills sharp, or are feeling sluggish after a break from work, consider taking a few classes at this great Seattle school that will help you brush up on your design skills. They offer fantastic classes by true business professionals that will give you a real take on the reality of the world of design, or simply brush up your skills in a new area of expertise. Either way, SVC gives professionals a chance to try something new, learn something old, or simply refine a skill set.

4. Work outside
If your work doesnʼt require the use of your computer, such as concepting for a project or a phone meeting with a client, why not take it outside? Being in nature tends to kickstart peopleʼs creative energy and hey — we all need a little Vitamin D from time to time. Abuse the great weather and get out of the four walls when you can.

5. Take a day off
If the sun is out and you canʼt justify working, give yourself a day off! We all need a mental health day once in awhile, and as long as it doesnʼt interfere with anything important, it shouldnʼt be a problem.

6. Take a field trip
Creativity needs inspiration, and what better way to inspire yourself than to go on a creative field trip? Take the day and go explore the Seattle Art Museum, an art walk, or even Seattleʼs First Thursday, in which hundreds of galleries have openings and fun activities for art lovers and creatives. See something new and help yourself get inspired…and possible give you new ideas for a future project.

7. Arrange outdoor meetings with clients
Just like working outside, meeting with a client outdoors or offsite can be a great change of scenery, and can be the perfect compromise between work and play. Often clients really enjoy this change of pace. We plan to have one this afternoon on the deck with our potential client. Also, consider holding your staff meeting outside. Not all work has to be done around a conference table. You have nine months out of the year to do that sort of thing.

Changing things up every once and while is a great thing for everyone. You’ll find yourself and your staff really happy with the results. If you have any other tips to avoid the Summer Slump, we would love to hear them. Please share your comments below! Happy First Day Of Summer!

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