How to work less this summer

As we head into high summer, and a summer that looks very different than last year, it feels like an important time to consider the ways in which we want to spend our time. It’s exciting to once again be able to gather with family and friends, but it also feels important to avoid jumping the gun and over-scheduling ourselves.

Time for reflection, recharging, and independent play are top of my priority list this summer, along with some offline projects that require hands-on labor. In order to create space for these, I’ve had to practice setting boundaries and saying “no” to some things, which is challenging, but the overall result is that I have more control over my capacity and can focus on the non-work activities that are a priority for me this summer.

Here’s a list of the practices that help me navigate this balance:

Ground Down In The Morning.

In the morning, take 10 minutes for an activity that helps you feel grounded, whatever this means for you. It may look like a walk, or a workout, or a quiet cup of tea. For me, it’s meditating and journaling. Starting my day with this protected time block provides a moment for centering, as well as a space to plan my day and set priorities, which brings me to my next tip…

Set One Big Goal For Your Day.

Chose one big thing to focus on before you get stuck in the minutia. Many of us are most creative in the morning, so take this time to identify and work on your top priority. Don’t check your email. Don’t scroll social media. Start with the big stuff, like a proposal, or a presentation, or a creative project — anything that you know will require a block of undivided attention.

I really can’t speak highly enough of the Best Self Journal, which helps set the tone for my day and is a major factor in my ability to prioritize. If you’re curious about this journal, I’ve got a lot more to say about it here.

Don’t Get Trapped In Your Inbox.

It’s okay if you need to check your inbox quickly in the morning to make sure there are no fire drills, but commit to getting OUT. The last thing you want to do is get stuck doing nothing all day. If this feels scary, set a hold on your calendar for a 1–2 hour afternoon window where you’ll catch up on email a few times a week, but be intentional about it.

If you’re looking for other suggestions, I love the Make Time book by John Zeratsky and Jake Knapp because it offers tools for breaking distraction and negotiating with your inbox, among others. This book has given me permission to step out of the mindset that I need to reply to all of my emails ASAP. The reality is that not all emails are time sensitive or holding up others’ workflow, so be selective about which emails you’re replying to and when.

Quit Perfectionism.

This fixation has diminishing returns. Manage the urge to perfect by using the time-block method, which is a tool I use during Design Sprints. It forces you to go pencils down at a stopping point and prevents you from spending unnecessary time on a task. When we set boundaries like time limits around completing work, it helps us move through the day without getting caught on making everything absolutely perfect. This will save you from burnout and suffering, and is something I actively practice every day. Perfectionism is the enemy of sanity.

Manage Your Capacity.

We all know the saying “sometimes you have to say no to say yes.” I dive into it in depth in another article, linked below, but the bottom line is that working less starts first and foremost with your capacity. Saying yes to the right opportunities leads to better work, happier clients and more bandwidth for the fun stuff.

Prioritize Yourself.

This might sound radical, but it’s so important to learn to recognize when you’re feeling burned out and, as a result, how to take a timeout. Noticing the stress of the day build? Hit pause and go for a quick walk. Feeling overwhelmed? Take a pause to breathe, or do nothing at all. These small moments will save your mental and emotional capacity. Sometimes being okay with giving yourself a break feels like the ultimate ask (I know from personal experience). So, this is your reminder that you never need permission to take a break. Especially during the summer.