Let’s take the laid-back energy of summer and apply it to our work habits all year long. By doing so, you can help your team navigate challenges with creativity, energy, and resilience.
77% of employees say they've experienced burnout at their current job.
83% of workers report that they suffer from work-related stress.
100% of humans can benefit from mindset training that shifts the script on stress's role in our performance, health, and happiness.
I like to frequently remind myself of these stats, which is why I post them prominently on my website. I am both astonished by how high these percentages are and heartened by our ability to change them. As the leaves change and the daylight dwindles, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush of fall projects, deadlines, and the pressure to perform—especially when we feel like the days are getting shorter. Here are five ways to keep the spirit of summer alive in your workplace, even as fall demands ramp up.
Fall into Better Strategies for Sustainable Performance
Prioritize Mental Wellness Days: Encourage your team to take periodic mental health days, even if they’re not planning a vacation. With the hectic pace of fall, these days can act as a pressure release valve, preventing burnout before it starts.
Stay flexible. Encourage remote work to help your team get a change of scenery or accommodate parents juggling school and activity schedules with their kids. As long as the job gets done, does it matter where the work happens?
Make Fridays meeting-free. You might not be able to activate a four-day workweek (yet!), but you can help your team create healthy boundaries and incentivize them to work more efficiently. When schedules are overcrowded with meetings, people often end up sacrificing their personal time to put in extra hours. Give them a day to get stuff done so they can have their evenings and weekends back.
Take it outside. Did you know that sunlight can improve our attention, memory, and moods? Getting fresh air can also help relieve stress and anxiety. The cooler weather makes fall the perfect time to continue outdoor meetings or brainstorming sessions. Fresh air and a change of scenery can boost creativity and keep that summer sense of freedom alive.
Dream big. Use the quieter, reflective nature of fall to revisit the goals, ideas, and strategies generated during the summer. This is the time to take those seeds and nurture them into actionable plans for the new year.
As the season changes, so too should our approach to work. Fall doesn’t have to mean stress, overload, and burnout. With thoughtful leadership, you can keep the easy, breezy summer mindset going, creating a healthier, happier, and more productive environment for your team year-round.
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