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Advice / Succeeding at Work / Productivity

9 Ways to Survive Being Inside an Office Now That the Weather's Nice

summer sky
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Summer’s so close you can practically taste it. Between beautiful beach days and blockbuster film premieres, it really feels like the perfect time of year. That is, for everything except your work assignments. When it comes to clear skies and lazy days, it can be difficult to maintain the same kind of productivity you do during the colder months. Let’s be honest—sitting at your desk on a gorgeous Friday afternoon just doesn’t sound appealing.

So, how do you keep up with all your work without sacrificing those summer vibes? Read these nine tips if you’re looking for ways to catch some sunshine without falling behind on your responsibilities.

  1. Suggest that you take your meetings outside—that way, you and your colleagues can escape the conference room without losing the valuable meeting time.

  2. Jam-packed schedule? But not with anything related to your job? Just because you’re crazy busy scrambling to catch up on work doesn’t mean you have to give up your hard-earned reputation.

  3. Forgetting one of your responsibilities because you took some time for yourself is totally within the realm of possibility. Here’s how to save yourself from getting into too much trouble when that (inevitably) happens.

  4. If you’re feeling stuck inside your office while the warm weather beckons from the window nearby, try these small tips to enjoy a glimpse of the summer while still working hard.

  5. Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Forget grabbing coffee (again). Instead, make one of these fun, refreshing drinks, and bring them straight to your desk to sip on while finishing up those reports.

  6. Feeling guilty about the fact that you’re not anywhere near as productive as usual? Give yourself a break on those slower days when you accomplish, um, nothing, by reading one of these books on the weekend. They’ll boost your career, without forcing you to leave the beach. (And by beach, we mean that towel on your lawn.)

  7. Who said you have to stay inside in order to be productive? The freedom to enjoy the outdoors doesn’t have to be at odds with your usual performance—try taking your work outside.

  8. Can’t focus at all, but still want to be doing something so you don’t feel guilty when you leave at 5 PM sharp? Taking a personality test can be a fun and productive use of your time because it’ll give you insight into the kind of worker you are. (Or at least, that’s what you can keep telling yourself.)

  9. Browse your dream jobs. Wanting to soak up the sun is natural, but if you find yourself constantly trying to bolt from your work, maybe it’s a sign that this summer could be the perfect opportunity to find a company you’ll love.