Summertime Motivation

Summer is my favorite time of the year.  I love the heat, the sun, the beach and outdoor living and activities.  It is hard to stay motivated to work during the summer, when I can loll by the pool, play at the beach with the kids or take a road trip with my favorite traveling companion, my hubby.

Perhaps you have the same problem, so here are some tips to keep you on track with home projects, jewelry making, or other important tasks that cannot wait:

1) Get out a calendar and list all your appointments for doctors, out of town trips, or social activities.
2)Make a list of your projects, whether work or personal on individual pieces of paper, such as post it notes or torn strips of paper.
3) Prioritize your list:  For example, take the first two items  and compare them, determining which one is most important.  Place the priority item in pile A, and the least important is pile B.  Then take the item placed in pile A and compare it to the next item from your original slips.  Determine the priority and place it in pile A, and the other in pile B.   Repeat this until you have gone through all the original slips.  You should have one item in pile A at this point. and the remainder in Pile B.  Compare that item to the remaining items in pile B, just as you did before.  You should then have your priority item in pile A.  Put the other items aside and concentrate on the priority item.
4)Determine the amount of time you need to complete the project chosen.
5)Determine how much time per week you wish to spend on projects. This should be a reasonable amount of days to complete all the projects you have listed.
6)Look at your calendar and schedule the time you need to complete that project.  If it requires more than one day, then schedule consecutive days to complete it if possible.  If not, choose the first available days.
7)Try not to schedule yourself for every day of the week.  You need a break and if you are scheduling too much of your time, you cannot be spontaneous or enjoy your summer!  You will subsequently fail to follow through.
8)Treat your schedule as if it is a regular job, with regular hours and do not deviate unless there is an emergency or higher priority item that comes up.  (This does not include going to the pool, the beach, getting your hair and nails done, or going to the bar).  Just sayin.........
9)Once you have completed the first project, treat yourself!  Take that beach day, ride your bike, or whatever makes you happy.
10)Now, back to work....Grab those items you put in pile B and repeat the process described in item 3 through 9.

You should keep in mind that you must schedule your projects for the number of days per week you have chosen in item 5 in order to complete all the projects on time.

I use this technique for my jewelry making project schedule and it keeps me on track.  Summer is a slow jewelry selling season so it makes sense to make my jewelry during these slow months so I'm not pressed during my prime season to get new inventory made, and I don't get behind on custom orders and repairs.

Hope you are having a great summer!  Don't forget to stop by M&F Casuals for a visit!