Smart ways to refresh your mind, schedule, and priorities for the sunny months ahead
Sanya Onayoade
Summer is at the door step. It’s a season of fun and the sunshine. As the days get longer and the weather warms up, summer offers a unique opportunity to hit the reset button — not just personally, but professionally as well. For many executives and busy professionals, summer can feel like a season that passes by in a blur of meetings, deadlines, and missed opportunities to recharge. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
With the right preparation, summer can be both productive and restorative, especially for the busy executive. Here’s how to prepare for the season and ensure you make the most of it.
1. Set Clear Summer Goals
Summer is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the year so far. Are you where you wanted to be by mid-year? What goals can you realistically accomplish before fall arrives? Setting summer-specific goals — both personal and professional — gives you a clear direction. Maybe it’s completing a major project, spending more time with family, or committing to healthier habits. Writing them down helps you stay focused while still allowing room for flexibility.
Pro Tip: Keep your goals visible. Use a planner, sticky notes, or digital reminders to stay on track.
2. Plan Your Vacation Early
Nothing drains summer joy like scrambling to plan last-minute getaways or realizing your calendar is packed with work commitments. Planning your vacation well in advance not only gives you something to look forward to but also allows your team to prepare for your absence.
More importantly, give yourself permission to fully disconnect. Set up clear out-of-office communication, delegate responsibilities, and trust your team to handle things while you recharge.
Julia, a busy executive I worked with, used to postpone vacations indefinitely. When she finally scheduled a full week off and trusted her team, she returned with fresh ideas that transformed her department’s strategy for the rest of the year.
3. Create a Flexible Work Schedule
Summer is a great time to rethink rigid schedules. Can you start your workday earlier to enjoy long summer evenings? Could you implement “summer Fridays” or remote workdays?
A flexible schedule not only boosts productivity but also allows you to enjoy the simple pleasures of the season — morning walks, outdoor lunches, or quality time with loved ones.
Consider: Even one remote day per week can create a sense of balance and renewed energy.
4. Prioritize Health & Wellness
With more daylight and warmer temperatures, summer is the ideal time to move your body and nourish your well-being. Hydrate consistently, enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables, and take your workouts outdoors.
Sunshine and fresh air can do wonders for your mental clarity and energy levels. Make wellness a non-negotiable part of your summer routine.
5. Prepare Your Home & Workspace for Summer
A light refresh of your environment can subtly shift your mindset. Declutter your home and workspace to invite fresh energy. Add seasonal touches like vibrant plants, lighter fabrics, or even rearrange furniture to create a new flow.
Creating an inviting environment makes it easier to embrace the season and maintain focus during work hours.
6. Embrace Seasonal Networking
Summer isn’t just for relaxation — it’s also prime time for relationship building. Take advantage of the more relaxed atmosphere to attend industry socials, outdoor networking events, or casual meetups.
These settings often foster more authentic conversations than traditional boardrooms.
Marcus, a tech entrepreneur, shared that some of his best investor conversations happened over casual summer barbecues rather than in formal pitch meetings. The relaxed environment allowed him to connect on a personal level first, making the professional discussions smoother.
7. Get Ahead of Work Commitments
To enjoy your summer without lingering stress, take the proactive step of tackling major tasks early. Identify deadlines that might coincide with vacations or summer holidays and work ahead.
Delegate where possible and set clear expectations with your team. A little preparation now will save you from last-minute stress later.
8. Plan Family and Personal Time Intentionally
Your family and personal life deserve the same level of strategic planning as your business calendar. Block off time for family vacations, weekend trips, or even simple staycations.
Treat these moments as immovable appointments — because they are just as valuable as any business meeting.
9. Protect Your Energy & Avoid Burnout
Summer can tempt us to say yes to every invitation, project, or event. But balance is key. Be selective with your commitments to ensure you’re not stretching yourself too thin.
Remember, rest is productive. Giving yourself time to breathe creates the space for creativity and sharper decision-making.
10. Enjoy the Season Mindfully
Finally, let yourself truly enjoy the season. Be present during family dinners, savor weekend beach trips, or take a quiet morning to journal outdoors.
Summer offers countless small moments of joy — if we slow down enough to notice them.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the summer isn’t about cramming more into your schedule — it’s about creating space for both achievement and enjoyment. With a little foresight and intentionality, you can turn this season into a time of meaningful progress and well-deserved relaxation.
So, as you plan your summer, ask yourself: What do I want this season to feel like? Then, build your plans around that vision.
Here’s to a summer that energizes, inspires, and renews you!