From soaking in the sun and picnics in the park, now it’s back to business, and our calendars are filling back up with work, school, sports, and deadlines.
That overload can follow you right into the office and leave you feeling drained and distracted.
Many workers report a drop in motivation as summer fades.
Experts call it the “end-of-summer slump.” A dip in focus and drive that hits hard after time off.
But the good news? It’s fixable, and a few simple changes can reboot your energy and efficiency.
First, stick to a consistent daily routine. Forbes says this creates a sense of control. Begin each day by writing down your top three priorities and block out time to tackle them.
One way to stay on task: Implement the 20-second rule. That means making productive habits 20 seconds easier to start, and distractions 20 seconds harder. Do this by logging out of social apps. But keep your task list up on your screen.
Indeed says one of the biggest productivity boosts comes from reducing distractions. Put your phone away. Turn off notifications and set specific times to check emails.
Still feeling you’re stuck in a mental fog? Try task hopping. Rotate between a thinking task and a physical or simple one. It gives your brain a break without losing momentum.
And give your brain a boost with a daily “curiosity break.” Take 10 minutes to learn something new, like creating a podcast, video, or new skill.
Finally, instead of only tracking what you need to do, track what you’ve already done. Add a sticky note or digital check mark each time you finish a task. Seeing progress builds motivation.
Experts with Indeed also say what you do after work matters. Regular exercise, healthy meals, and enough sleep can increase energy and help you stay motivated during the day.