10 Tips to Getting Work Done Over Summer Break 2023
Many parents and caregivers have made the change from working outside of the home to working from inside the home. Covid seems to have helped usher in the work from home generation. I’ve said it before, some workers who were sent home from a traditional office to work from home during Covid are never going back to the office. For many, the change to a virtual (or hybrid) workspace has been a breath of fresh air. Working in your sweatpants and t-shirt, no more dealing with rush hour traffic, and lots of time with the family. Working from home can be great for the most part.
Summer break from school introduces some challenges for telecommuting parents though, and knowing how to navigate the summer months is the difference between a successful/productive summer (for both parents and kids) and one that bring parents to their breaking point.
Getting Work Done Over Summer Break can be accomplished. Here are 10 tips and advice on how to be productive over the summer while your kids are out of school:
- Set up a designated workspace: It’s important to have a separate workspace that’s dedicated to work. Ideally, this should be in a quiet area of your home where you can focus without interruption. If you don’t have a quiet area in your home, consider working outside of the home for the summer – there is a good chance that you have a coworking space near your home. The Works has Summer options for working parents. Our Day Passes, Conference Rooms, and Monthly Memberships can help you balance your work and family over the summer months.
- Establish a schedule: Creating a schedule can help you manage your time and ensure you have enough time for work and family. Be sure to communicate your schedule to your family so they know when you’re available to spend time with them.
- Utilize child care options: Consider hiring a babysitter or finding a co-op with other parents to share child care responsibilities. You may also be able to enroll your kids in a summer program or camp. And if the Grandparents are nearby, they may be able to assist in the childcare duties over the summer. And although there aren’t many coworking spaces that offer childcare, some do (The Heirloom Company Workspace in Gilbert, AZ for example)
- Communicate with your employer: Let your employer know your situation and discuss any flexibility or accommodations that may be available to you. You may be able to work flexible hours or work from an alternate location such as a coworking space.
- Prioritize tasks: Identify the most important tasks that need to be completed each day and focus on those first. This can help you stay on track and make the most of your work hours. Some workers subscribe to the Daily Big 3 system. This is where you have a daily plan to accomplish 3 importants task each day. Anything you do beyond those 3 is bonus! See video below for more details on The Daily Big 3. And if you’re an entrepreneur, see this entrepreneur-centric version of the 3 Task Rule.
- Take breaks: It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to recharge and prevent burnout. Take a walk, do some stretches, take a 20-minute power nap (if you can get away with it), or spend some time with your kids to break up your workday.
- Stay organized: Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of deadlines, appointments, and important dates. This can help you stay on top of your work responsibilities and ensure you don’t miss anything important. Everyone has their own method of organizing tasks. Some use a calendar, others use Google Tasks, or my Favorite – Things by Cultured Code.
- Be realistic: It’s important to be realistic about what you can accomplish while working from home with kids. You may need to adjust your expectations or workload to accommodate your family responsibilities.
- Make time for self-care: Prioritize self-care activities such as exercising, reading, or spending time with friends. This can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout.
- Stay flexible: Be prepared to adjust your schedule or routine as needed. Remember that working from home with kids can be challenging, and it’s necessary to be adaptable and flexible. There is no other option here. Your plans will change often, perhaps daily.
