Guilt-Free Summer: 3 Tips for Business Owners This Summer

By Jacqueline Smith

Jacqueline Smith started in real estate in 2015 and sold 52 homes her first year in the business as a solo agent. After considering growing her own team, and exploring different team models, she decided to partner with Place in 2017. The partnership allowed her to fast track her growth, and provide better systems and models to her agent partners. Her and her team in Vancouver Washington now close over $165M in annual sales volume, while keeping the quality of the agent and client experience at the forefront.

Summer is a time to have fun and enjoy the great weather. Here in the Pacific Northwest, many of us, especially those with kids, want to create memorable summer experiences. But as business owners, we also don’t want our business to suffer. It is common for many of us to think about enjoying the summer and getting back to work in the fall. But what usually happens is that in the fall, we find ourselves working overtime to get back on track, leading to a rough December. I’m here to talk about some tips to avoid that scenario and have a productive, guilt-free summer.

1. Plan your summer schedule. Grab your calendar and map out your vacation time and workdays. Be realistic about your commitments and adjust your schedule by listing out the activities you’re doing and the vacations you are planning to take. Be honest about how many days you will be able to work during the summer. To make room for family time, your summer schedule may look different from your typical spring or fall routine. Embrace the flexibility of being able to make your own schedule.

2. Set mini-goals in between vacations. Break down your larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, if you’re going to take some time off on July 4th, what can you accomplish in June leading up to it? Setting specific, achievable goals, like the number of open houses you can do or clients you can contact. This allows you to focus on important tasks and avoid feeling overwhelmed and guilty while you enjoy your time off.

3. Focus during work time. Summer is a time for increased focus, so you can get more done in less time. Schedule targeted tasks for your work hours and stick to them. This allows you to be fully present and enjoy your time with your loved ones.

I hope these tips help you avoid the summer slump and have a productive and enjoyable season. If you have any questions or need some assistance with your business, feel free to reach out by calling me or sending me an email. I’m here to help.