How to Keep Your Cool in the Heat of Summer

I love summer! Every year, I look forward to it and everything that comes along with it. Summers here on our farm are full of outdoor activities with the kids, play time with the animals, lots of fresh veggies from the garden, and evening cookouts and bonfires with friends and family. Here are the kiddos spending time with some of our animals.

There’s just one thing…business goes on all year long! I can’t put my business on hold simply because the temperature rises above 85 degrees (but wouldn’t that be nice?!). So, I’ve had to find ways to manage my business, maintaining the high level of service and care I provide my clients, and still make time for the kids and summer time. With lots of organization and careful planning, I’m able to have the best of both worlds.

Below are a few of my best tips to help you find that work/life balance during these glorious days of summer:

1. Start planning early. Whether it’s writing your blogs and newsletters, preparing your social media and other networking activities, or launching your summer coaching program, begin planning in early spring. Create a calendar of activities that need to be done over the summer months, and complete as much as you can before your summer begins. This is important—Include both work and play time on your calendar.

2. Automate as much as you can. Take advantage of some of the awesome automation tools out there to help you stay on schedule. For instance, Hootsuite is great for scheduling your social media posts. And all of the newsletter programs, such as Mailchimp and AWeber allow you to schedule your broadcasts far in advance. You can even create autoresponders in these programs to stay in touch with your clients, and send materials and other info at regular intervals.

3. Communicate. Have a conversation with your clients as well as your support team so that everyone is on the same page about the summer schedule. Work closely with your support team so that during times when you do want to get out and enjoy a bit of laid-back summer time, your team will be there to handle things while you’re away, making your time off worry-free!

Whether you have kids or not, enjoying your summer can and should blend well with managing your business. Scheduling a little play time each day to go for a horse ride, a swim, sit on the porch, or whatever your summer fun involves is an important part of balancing your work and life during these hot summer days. They’ll be over before you know it, so get busy and go have some summer fun!