Staying focused at work is vital for being a good employee. But, many people tend to lose concentration around the holiday season and now – during the hot summer months. Luckily, there are simple ways you can regain your focus throughout the day so you can make sure you’re getting all of your work finished efficiently and effectively. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated:

First, be sure to plan your week by writing down all the tasks you need to complete by Friday. This will not only give you a good understanding of what you need to do, but it will help you allocate time wisely to your various duties. Buying a planner that offers enough space per day for you to write down a to-do list is a great idea (plus, they’re probably on sale this time of year). It’s easy to get off track when we don’t have tasks written down in front of us, so be sure to plan -you might even end up saving yourself a reasonable amount of time!

Eating lunch outside during the summertime (as long as it’s not too hot) is another excellent way to help you feel like you’re not missing out on days spent in the sun. If you don’t have time to leave your office for a sit-down meal, you will probably be able to find outdoor seating just outside of your office, where you can enjoy your packed lunch. Being outside not only changes scenery from being inside the office all day, but it also gives you the motivation to complete a majority of your work before lunchtime so you can enjoy more time in the sun.
Next, be sure to use the weekend as a time to recharge by straying away from doing work-related things. Yes, we know it can get very tempting to check your email during the weekend, but keeping your work and private life separate will give you more motivation to work hard when you’re actually at work and let you enjoy the time you spend outside of work. Depending on your job, this can be not very easy, make sure to make more of an effort to relax on the weekends so you can be fully energized during your workweek.

Lastly, planning a vacation during the summer serves as one of the best forms of motivation because it gives you something to look forward to. Planning a vacation, even if it’s just for a short weekend, will allow you to unwind and return to the office fully charged and ready to go. Remember, being stressed all the time has a negative effect on your work habits, so taking time off during the summer ultimately helps you keep a positive, more relaxed mindset.