Summertime is in full swing. You could choose to spend the majority of these warm sunshine-filled days with cocktails by the pool, breezy rooftop hangs, and countless beach trips. 

 

Or – you could make it count and make some serious headway on your goals.

 

We’re not saying that the summer season should be devoid of any fun – go out and enjoy the sunshine, of course! We are arguing, however, that summer is the perfect time to explore a new challenge, learn a new skill, or work on any goal you’d like to achieve, big or small. 

 

So why tackle this in summer, specifically? Since summer is typically a condensed amount of time dedicated to vacations and relaxing, it’s the perfect time to put your head down and focus while other people are traveling. Here are 5 quick tips for using summertime to see your goals come to actualization.

 

Set your summertime intention

Talking about reaching your goal is fruitless – you need to internalize it so you can break down the exact steps of what you need to do to achieve it. Take a couple of hours to decide on a goal and write it down on a physical piece of paper. Then, set it in a place where you have to see it on a daily basis. The refrigerator, your bathroom mirror, your desk, or in the spot where you set your keys down every day are all good options. Every time you glance at your goal, read the intention and “speak it into existence.” This method will be a constant reminder for you to stick to it. 

 

Break down your goal into weekly and monthly checkpoints 

Setting a goal is easy. Following through on that goal? Not so much. 

 

Instead of viewing summer as a massive span of hot days, break it up by weeks or months. For each week, set a micro-goal that consists of activities and tasks that will all add up to make your goal come to life. For each month, set a larger objective to complete within that timeframe. 

 

Ask yourself, for example, what do I need to get done by the end of July, and what steps do I need to take to get there? Figure out how you can break down your goal into monthly and weekly milestones, as well as daily micro-milestones. Preparation and planning are key! Plus, if you know what you need to get done each day/week/month, you’re more likely to be consistent and dedicated to the process.

 

Experts agree that breaking down your goals into manageable pieces works – Elon Musk uses the time-blocking method to schedule every part of his hectic days. When you block off time in your calendar to work on your goal, there’s no room for random interruptions. 

 

Get an accountability buddy

Tell someone about your goal who you trust to keep you accountable. Then, don’t talk about it to anyone. Science says you’re actually more likely to achieve your goals if you keep them close to vest and don’t share them widely. 

 

Informing just one or two people about your plans to crush your goals this summer will keep the accountability pressure on. Ask them to check in with you occasionally to see how you’re doing and to give them brief progress updates. 

 

If you prefer to use an online tool instead of a human as your accountability buddy, there are plenty of options. One of them is called StickK, which helps you set a goal and encourages you to stay on track with a financial incentive. If you don’t keep up with your goal, you have to pay a price, so the accountability stakes are high! 

 

Harness your creativity 

Summer is a special time because it feels a bit more carefree than the rest of the year. It’s an excellent time to think outside the box and work on things you might not normally work on, or prioritize more creative endeavors that you wouldn’t have time for. 

 

For example, if there’s something you’ve been itching to work on that isn’t directly aligned with professional career goals, and more about personal creative expression, this might be the best time to make progress! Think of it as the adult version of chasing that child-like feeling of summer vacation, where these warm months feel more breezy than the rest of the year. Summer can be a time to break from routine and reconnect with your creative self.

 

Personal passions are good for your mental health – the entrepreneur David Heinemeier Hansson, the creator of the web development framework Ruby on Rails and founder of Basecamp, says that he accomplishes his personal goals by manufacturing quality time. With this strategy, he makes time to chase his ambition of being a champion racecar driver.

 

Spend your time wisely 

In conclusion, all of the above is meaningless until you prioritize the time it will take to achieve your summertime goal. Summer is one of the most social times of the year with pool parties, barbecues, and beach trips abound. Although your FOMO might be real, it’s helpful to choose carefully what activities you’ll partake in, while also making sure you have time to work and focus on your goal. You don’t have to say no to everything, but tough choices will need to be made so you have adequate time to dedicate toward your goal. 

 

Do you have a summertime goal you’re working on? Tweet us at @SaneBox and tell us about it. Good luck and happy summer!