Your Guide to Boosting Productivity During the Summer Slump

It’s easy to procrastinate and let work productivity slide during the summer months. After all, when the mercury rises, who wants to be cooped up inside?

Almost half of full-time employees in the UK say they are less productive during the summer months, with some studies suggesting that workplace productivity drops as much as 20%.

With children off school, colleagues on holiday, and long sunny days tempting you outdoors, maintaining productivity can be challenging.

Challenging, but not impossible.

At UBC, we’ve operated flexible workplaces for decades and during that time, tens of thousands of entrepreneurs and employees have passed through our doors. As we’ve discovered, everyone has their own way of maintaining productivity during the summer.

Here, we’ve collated some of the most popular techniques we’ve experienced over many summers to help you get productive and power through the ‘summer slump’.

Embrace the Early Morning Hours

Take advantage of the early morning peace before the day gets busy. There are two main benefits to this approach. First, if you have school-age children at home (or older teens constantly requesting lifts to and from friends’ houses), starting your workday earlier gives you a few uninterrupted hours of productive time. Second, getting more done earlier in the day leaves you free to enjoy some summer activities in the afternoon.

Set a Summer Schedule

Setting a flexible work schedule during the summer is a great way to boost team satisfaction and productivity. For example, PwC’s summer schedule lets employees condense their working week to finish at lunchtime on Fridays.

Over 93% of PwC employees said it positively impacted their day-to-day working experience throughout the summer, with 73% saying it positively impacted their general well-being to a great extent.

For business owners, summer holidays are an excellent time to take advantage of the flexibility that comes with being an entrepreneur. Adjusting your work hours to accommodate family activities or personal downtime can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, reducing burnout and keeping you productive.

Escape Distractions by Using a Coworking Space

A well-organised and designated workspace helps you escape home distractions and mentally switch into work mode.

Coworking spaces provide a professional environment with fewer interruptions, enabling you to focus on your work. The change of scenery can also boost your creativity and motivation.

At UBC you have the utmost flexibility over how and when you use a coworking space. Sign up to a monthly membership for full-time access to the workspace of your choice, or purchase credits to use whenever you like. For even more spontaneity, simply book online and pay as you go.

This flexibility enables you to work around your home and family commitments while maintaining productivity in a professional, fully-equipped workplace. You’ll have everything you need at your fingertips including fast Internet, ergonomic furniture, and helpful staff to get you up and running instantly.

Book UBC Coworking online here.

Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations

Communicate your work schedule and boundaries to your family and friends. Let them know your working hours and the importance of sticking to them. This helps minimise interruptions and sets a professional tone, even if you’re working from home.

Plan and Prioritise Your Tasks

With colleagues on vacation, it's crucial to plan your workload effectively. Prioritise tasks and focus on high-impact activities. Using tools like to-do lists, project management software, and time-blocking techniques can help you stay organised and on track.

Implement Time Management Techniques

Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, where you work in focused intervals with short breaks, can help maintain productivity. These structured work periods may help you stay focused and make the most of your working hours, despite the summer distractions.

Ally Phillips, owner of award-winning Pink Spaghetti PA Services, recently gave an informative talk at UBC’s Wirral offices. Ally’s golden rule is to complete important tasks first. Each day, identify two or three tasks that are the most crucial to complete and do those first. That way, once you are done, your day has already been a success.

Book a Meeting Space for Team Motivation

Drive productivity by getting your team together for a motivational pep talk! Book a contemporary meeting space at any of UBC’s 15 locations by the hour or by the day (we can arrange catering, too). This provides a distraction-free environment to help your team get focused on the tasks ahead.

Flexible office spaces are also excellent for networking. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs and small business owners. Collaboration can lead to new opportunities and keep you motivated.

If You Can’t Beat ‘em…

Good British weather is never guaranteed, so when the sun shines, you’ll do wonders for team morale and happiness by offering an early finish or a half day.

If summer is a quiet time for your industry, it may be a great time to book a holiday or two. Whether it’s a long holiday abroad or a series of short, frequent breaks, this is a great time to give yourself a rest and recharge your batteries. Balancing work and leisure is key to maintaining long-term well-being and productivity.

Get Productive with UBC

We hope that these tips will help you avoid distractions, gain focus, and power through the summer slump.

Remember that our flexible office spaces and coworking environments are always here to provide you with the perfect escape for focused and efficient work.

Find your nearest UBC workplace here. To learn more, chat online with our friendly team or better still, pop in for a coffee and a tour. We’re here during business hours, come rain or shine!