Chipping ice off our windows, cleaning salt off our boots, shoveling the walk-way - are you depressed yet? For what seems like most of the year, we Canadians do whatever we can to get through the winter until we can kick back, grab a glass of crisp white, and enjoy the glorious moments of summer. By the time mid-January hits, most of us would give our right arm to be on a beach somewhere.
So then, summer comes, we stock up on sunscreen (zinc based only please - Arbonne makes a great one), pack the car, zoom up to the cottage and forget everyday life for a little while.
Then, the end of August hits. We've packed on a few "happy pounds", we're rushing to get ourselves, our partners, and our children back into some sort of order. September is a week away and life just went from awesome to "AHHHHHHHH!".
On our Facebook Discussion Group, I reached out to our members and asked for tips on staying healthy, happy and productive all summer. Here's some member feedback:
"I keep my to do list short. I put 3 things on the list for each day so I can accomplish them and feel confident that I'm getting things done. Helps me keep the momentum going. If I stretch too far out side of this I find myself disappointed and easily distracted. That's my tip. Keep the to do list short and manageable."
"Audiobooks! Perfect for laying on the beach and soaking up an inspiring biography or motivational business book with the rays. Also early mornings. Crushing that 7am time slot. It's so much easier to get up early in the summer when it's light out. I try to knock one thing off my to do list before getting in the shower."
"Summer weekends are full of parties, bbq's and get-togethers which equals lots of eating and drinking.....I have 6 steps to recovery from weekend binging. Three of these are, incorporating my detox juice into your breakfast, drinking lots of H2O throughout the day to flush and re-hydrate, and eating protein packed meals to help regulate blood sugar and decrease cravings....my full article is here!"
"Although Summer's my busiest time of year, I always time manage family time. Since I make so many appointments for my clients, I make appointments for my own self care and downtime. To do lists are short each day and After a day of massaging, I force myself to only do office work up to a certain time each day. I used to be at my desk until midnight but I realized I was burning out far too fast and wouldn't be any good to anyone including myself or my family."
And, as if those amazing tips weren't enough - I have a few of my own:
1. Keep a Full Networking Calendar - Attending networking events through the summer will help you meet awesome people you wouldn't have otherwise met. It will also help to keep the wheels in motion for your business/project. Meeting great people sparks ideas! Check our events calendar to see what we have going on.
2. Keep Planting Seeds! Meeting and befriending people wherever you go is a skill that will serve you for life. Even though people are "busy", they can still listen while you share what you do. It may not turn into quick business right away, but it will help add to the boom in early fall.
3. Keep "FunActive", In my mind, the gym is awesome, but it's also the gym. Nowhere near as fun as hiking with your love, swimming with your kids, or zip-lining with your gal pals. Staying active is so simple in the summer when you make it fun...so be sure to get some heart-pumping, joy-inducing fun on the books as well.
Bottom line: ENJOY YOURSELF in everything you do while still doing the things that will move you forward. It's all about making the right choices to better yourself in every way. Have some Summer tips of your own? Feel free to share below!
In Happiness & Health,
