Summer. For many of us, it conjures images of long, lazy days, maybe a vacation or two, and a general slowing down of the usual hustle. The emails might trickle in a little slower, the meetings might be less frequent, and the overall pace of life seems to dial down a notch. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking this quieter period means less productivity, a time to simply coast until the fall rush kicks in. But what if I told you this perceived “downtime” is actually your secret weapon, a golden opportunity to make massive strides in your personal and professional growth?
Think about it like this: professional athletes don’t just stop training when their season ends. They enter an “off-season.” This isn’t a time for complete idleness. It’s a strategic period dedicated to focused improvement, to honing specific skills, and to preparing their bodies and minds for the next competitive season. They use this quieter time to come back stronger, faster, and more skilled. And you, too, can adopt this mindset for your own life.
Your One Summer Project: The Power of Focused Growth
My personal strategy, and one I’ve seen work wonders for countless others, is to pick one meaningful project to focus on during the summer. Just one. This isn’t about adding more to your plate; it’s about channeling your energy into something that will have a significant impact on your long-term goals. It could be anything from finally writing that book you’ve dreamed of, to mastering a new skill for your career, or even launching a side business.
Last summer, for example, I decided to pick up a new sport. I work a lot, and I needed something outside of work that would allow me to recharge, get some exercise, and have a social outlet. After trying a few things, I got hooked on pickleball. My goal for the summer was to play four times a week so I could eventually compete with really good players. I dedicated my summer to this, and by the end of August, I had improved significantly and reached my goal. It was awesome. The key was choosing something that excited me and aligned with my desire for personal growth and well-being.
So, what’s your project? What’s that one thing you’ve been putting off, or that skill you’ve wanted to develop? Choose something that truly excites you and aligns with where you want to be a year from now.
The Missing Piece: Skills, Habits, or Routines?
Once you’ve chosen your summer project, here’s where most people miss a crucial step. They jump straight into action without first identifying what they truly need to succeed. This is why so many attempts at new habits or routines fail. You might read about a great morning routine, try it for a week, and then wonder why it didn’t stick. Often, it’s because you haven’t tied that new behavior directly to a specific goal or outcome.
To set yourself up for success, break your chosen project down into smaller tasks. Let’s say your project is to write a book. Your tasks might include outlining chapters, conducting research, drafting sections, and editing. Now, here’s the critical part: highlight the tasks that seem most challenging or where you feel you lack experience. Maybe structuring your chapters feels daunting, or perhaps staying consistent with your writing is a struggle.
For each challenging task, ask yourself: What’s missing? Is it a skill, a habit, or a routine?
- Skill: Something you need to learn how to do. (e.g., creating a compelling outline, proper running technique, SEO optimization, effective decluttering techniques, speech writing).
- Habit: A consistent action you need to perform. (e.g., daily writing, running multiple times a week, dedicating 15 minutes each day to organizing, practicing public speaking regularly).
- Routine: A structured sequence of actions or a regular schedule. (e.g., dedicated writing time, mixing running with stretching and strength training, a room-by-room decluttering schedule, attending weekly public speaking sessions).
When I started playing pickleball, I realized I needed the habit of practicing regularly to improve. So, I set a goal to play four times a week. This helped me build the necessary skills and stamina, even in the crazy Texas heat. Identifying that specific missing piece—the routine of consistent play—was the game-changer.
Real-World Wins: How This Plays Out
Let’s look at a few more examples to drive this point home:
- Project: Cook Healthier Meals.
– Missing Skill: Effective meal planning.
– Missing Habit: Consistent grocery shopping.
– Missing Routine: Meal prepping every Sunday.
- Project: Train for a Marathon.
– Missing Skill: Proper running technique.
– Missing Habit: Running consistently, three to four times a week.
– Missing Routine: Mixing running, stretching, and strength training into your weekly schedule.
- Project: Organize Your Home.
– Missing Skill: Effective decluttering techniques.
– Missing Habit: Dedicating 15 minutes each day to organizing.
– Missing Routine: A room-by-room decluttering schedule.
- Project: Improve Public Speaking.
– Missing Skill: Speech writing.
– Missing Habit: Practicing on a regular basis.
– Missing Routine: Joining a public speaking club and attending weekly sessions.
If you identify multiple missing pieces, pick just one to start. Remember, one tweak a week is all it takes to make massive productivity gains. Start small, build momentum, and then add another piece.
Making It Happen: Your Summer Action Plan
This summer, don’t just let the quieter pace pass you by. Seize it as your off-season. Choose your one project, break it down, identify the specific skill, habit, or routine you need to develop, and then put it into action. Be specific with your goals, schedule time for them, track your progress, and reflect on what’s working (and what’s not) each week. Just like a pro athlete, you can come back from your summer stronger, more skilled, and ready to tackle new challenges with renewed energy and focus.
What will your summer project be?
