Being productive doesn’t mean “work.” I wouldn’t DARE ask you to “work” in anyway you wouldn’t want to during summer because it is your vacation and I am very passionate about vacation. Still, on vacation you have to be productive. Summer comes and you’re so excited but then after a few weeks it gets kind of boring and then it’s over and you’re like, “What did I even do?” Do not do that! Use your summers fully while you still have them.
A good vacation to me, is when I feel no pressure to do things but I still do things. When I was studying abroad a lot of my friends would visit the surrounding countries (we were in London so traveling around Europe was very cheap) they’d rush from tourist attraction to tourist attraction because they had to see X,Y and Z or the trip wasn’t complete. Instead of having a good time their feet hurt but they got all those Instagram pictures of themselves in front of the Eiffel Tower. The picture to them was more important to them than the experience. That’s so not what I want or what I believe to be worthwhile. Summer is a time where you shouldn’t feel pressured but it’s a time for you to put time into the things you couldn’t normally do.
There’s the good kind of pressure from an excellent internship and there’s the unnecessary kind of pressure from your job as a barista. If you have to make money then you do what you have to do but the more valuable experience is going to be the internship because it plants the seeds of your future and it will probably be something you enjoy doing. Being productive in summer isn’t just about relaxing but it’s about making judgments on what’s going to be the most valuable for you and your needs. Contrary to popular belief having fun isn’t easy. You don’t just fall into fun and life changing experiences like on TV, you have to seek them and be open to them. These are steps for anyone who wants to be productive in terms of finding fun, meeting a goal or pursuing a hobby.
1.) Pick a goal that will make you feel happy and accomplished once you fulfill it. My goal for the summer is to write a novel, that doesn’t have to be your goal. Your goal can be to meet new people or to have as much fun as possible. It can be to learn to sew or swim or doing a 10K. Just make it something that is going to bring you joy because it if it doesn’t it’s too easy to quit. It’s summer and you can just drink with your friends instead.
2.) Make the goal within reach. Don’t plan on going to mars by the end of summer. Something that you can complete in 2-3 months is essential. If you aim too big you’ll become discouraged and overwhelmed. Keep it simple.
3.) Do your research. If you’re learning to swim are there classes available nearby or a friend who can teach you? Is there a swimming pool that isn’t costly? If your goal is to have a ton of fun what does that mean to you? Is it going to the most concerts, going to see a movie each week, hosting fun parties or brunches? Get down to the knitty gritty of what you want to do and it will feel more tangible and possible.
4.) Be consistent. Now that you’ve done your research and know how to do what you want to do you have to, like, do it. It’s easier if you give your self small weekly goals. Maybe you make the promise to take two swimming lessons a week, to go out three times a week, to write every morning for 30 minutes or a promise to just “not be bored” for more than an hour a day.
5.) Don’t beat yourself up. If you don’t complete your goal or feel like it’s slipping away, so what? This is a no pressure goal. This is a vacation goal so nothing should really be at stake. It’s just a way for you to have something to do that will make you happier and enriched during summer and you can always continue doing it or pick it up next summer. I took swimming lessons everyday one summer and guess what it’s 13 years later and I still cannot swim. Who cares? I had an awesome, unforgettable time splashing in the water everyday with friends.
6.) Use the buddy system. When you have to be accountable to someone you’re more likely to see things through. I used to be really flakey in my teens, I would say I would show up to some party and never go. It was only when I realized that I was being neglectful of my friendships that I started to keep my word. Setting a goal with a friend means they are relying on you and it’s a safety net because if you don’t “feel like it” then you still have to because they do feel like it and you said you would. Anytime I didn’t feel like going to a party or event and went anyway I sincerely did not regret it.
7.) Have fun. This has to be fun. It’s summer. I cannot emphasize that enough. If you are not having fun pick a new goal. It’s that simple.
[Via. Shutterstock/dreamerve]
How To Be Productive This Summer Now That You Have Nothing To Do
