It’s hard to believe, but summer is very quickly winding down.  It feels like just yesterday that the kids were getting out of school for summer vacation, and here we are shopping for school clothes for another school year.  The harsh reality is that summer is almost gone, but it’s not gone yet.  Here a few ways to get the most out of these last few dog days and set yourself up for success for the rest of the year.

Enjoy your summer hours: Many companies implement shorter or decreased hours of operation for their employees.  Some may see this as a time to catch up on some past due items, but we should all be careful not to take these perks for granted.  While it may be tempting to try and score brownie points for working during your off time, it is wise to take into consideration whether it’s really worth it.  You could think you are impressing your superiors or co-workers, but you could also be giving the perception that you don’t know how to relax or that you are a workaholic.  If you truly do need the time to catch up, you may need to figure out why you’re so behind.  Have you been taking on more than you can handle?  Have you been using your time efficiently?  Address those issues before you decide to use this extra time for anything other than a break.

Take advantage of the daylight:  It’s summertime.  That means the days are longer, so there is more time to enjoy the outdoors.  Use that time to take a walk.  If you regularly work out, try to get in some outdoor activities rather than going to the gym.  Have a picnic.  Go to the park.  Find ways to be outside because before you know it, winter will set in, and it will be dark by 5PM.  This may go without saying, but make sure you’re using wisdom with these outdoor summer activities.  Make sure you’re staying hydrated and not exerting too much energy in sweltering temperatures.

Be spontaneous: Yes, it’s vacation time.  Yes, the kids are out of school, but that doesn’t mean you have to fill all your free time up with structured plans.  Be okay with not having a plan.  If you’re going on vacation, you don’t have to have something scheduled for every minute of the day.  Just relax.  Take time just to lounge.  Really experience the joy and freedom in not having a plan.  See where the days take you.  Sometimes just being in a space with loved ones is all you need.  The added pressure of having to make a reservation or getting to the park in time just adds stress and complexity that prevents you from maximizing the full enjoyment of an experience.  There will be plenty of time for scheduling and making deadlines once summer is over.  For now, though, just plan on not having a plan.  You may be surprised at how things turn out.

Whatever you choose to do with the rest of your summer, my number one piece of advice is to enjoy every moment.  It will be gone before you know it.