How to Avoid the Summer Slump

Uncategorized Aug 09, 2022

I’ll level with you. I did not feel like writing this blog today.

In fact, I’ve been avoiding it all week.

Every time I sat down to write, it felt like something came up.

Monday: A friend texts wanting to meet up for coffee.

Tuesday: A colleague I normally meet with over Zoom proposes we do our 1-to-1 in the park instead.

Wednesday: I make up all the client work I couldn’t get done Monday and Tuesday.

Thursday: My husband has a half-day and proposes going on an adventure.

Friday: Nothing comes up. I’m just so out of my normal routine that I completely forget about the blog…

“Yikes!” I think.  “Well, at least I can play catch-up this weekend!”

Then I look at my calendar and realize… I’m somehow out of town and/or traveling every weekend for the next 2 months.

Damn.

This has been the story of the summer for many of us.

All of the traveling and socializing that we’ve been putting off for the past 2.5 years have been packed into the last 3 months.

And while all of these interruptions are beautiful and very welcome… they’re also incredibly disruptive to motivation and productivity. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m a person who thrives on habit and routine.

One of the faint silver linings of lockdown was that I could build a really consistent routine for both my business and my personal life. I find it MUCH harder to maintain motivation once I’ve fallen out of these routines.

And I don’t think I’m alone in this.

So many of my clients have said some version of this to me recently:

“Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to practice this week! Between family and travel, I feel like I haven’t had a second to devote to my professional goals.”

So what do we do? Is there any way to avoid the dreaded summer slump?

How can we enjoy our summer without completely derailing the progress on our professional goals?

Well, I don’t know about you, but here’s what I’m going to do.

Step 1: Take a guilt-free break.

Next week, I’m taking my first true vacation in 3 years.

I’m visiting a dear friend in Grand Cayman and I’m not going to worry a lick about productivity, or motivation, or professional development.

The only thing I’m going to worry about is the UV index.

I have systems in place to keep Speak Masterfully running smoothly while I’m off. It’s time to put those systems to work.

Because, remember: motivation isn’t an unlimited resource. 

If you keep trying to force yourself to get motivated when you’re running on empty, you’re not headed toward more productivity. You’re headed for burnout.

(That said, if you’re worried about how to re-establish those lovely productive routines come September, please proceed to step 2!)

Step 2: Get a Reset Event on the calendar.

What’s a “Reset Event” you ask?

Reset Event is any event you put on your calendar that is:

  •  related to a personal/professional goal
  •  can’t be easily rescheduled
  •  and, ideally, has an element of social accountability 

If one of your goals is to become a more effective public speaker, your Reset Event could look like the following:

  • Signing up for a class that starts in the fall
  • Applying to give a talk at a conference

NOTE: It does not look like a calendar event reading: “Practice a speech in front of the mirror.”

I know from experience that those sorts of events are far too easy to ignore…

Look for something that puts some skin in the game.

What’s my Reset Event for September?

Well, I’m so glad you asked, because maybe it can be yours as well…  

Mark your calendars for September 7th for this free 1-hr Zoom workshop:

Present with Impact

Wed, Sep 7, 2022 12:00 PM-1:00 PM EDT

Hosted by Sara Glancy, Public Speaking Coach and Speak Masterfully Founder

The Philosophy: You don't need to be an extrovert to be a Powerful Public Speaker.

With the right tools, anyone can learn to own the room.

(Be that a courtroom, a board room, or a Zoom room!)

Learn how in this free 1-hr Zoom workshop that will put you back on the path towards your public speaking goals.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

<<Save my Spot!>>

Till next time, I’m wishing you a restful, fun-filled, and guilt-free August.

I hope to see you on September 7th, well-rested and ready to take the fall by storm!

Photograph of Sara Glancy on stairs
Headshot by Jessica Osber.

Sara Glancy is an NYC-based actor and public speaking coach and the founder of Speak Masterfully, a service that helps professionals take the stage with less fear and more fun! 

Want to nail your next presentation?!  

Apply this basic outline to any speaking engagement to feel twice as prepared in half the time

Download your free copy of "Mesmerize, Don't Memorize" here!
Close

50% Complete

Get your FREE
copy of Mesmerize, Don't Memorize

Apply this basic outline to any speaking engagement to feel twice as prepared in half the time

(without hours of pointless memorization!)