💡 Seasonal Intelligence at Work: Creating a Summer Rhythm
I hope y'all have some scheduled time off this summer. And even if you do, some of you might consider implementing your version of summer hours... hear me out.
Remember when summer equalled freedom? Now, with our always-on, always-connected lives, even at the lake or the summer cottage, it's easier than ever to stay plugged in, maintaining a level of productivity, output, and connection that never really lets up. You don't need four weeks off-grid during the summer to feel a pause; a seasonal rhythm shift may be all you need.
Summer feels different, but most people are still operating like it's any other quarter. That mismatch creates friction, frustration and wasted momentum. People are away (OOO), fewer people attend regular meetings, collaboration slows, and typically, our expectations of ourselves or our teams remain the same. Projects inevitably stall, and collaboration changes when people are out of the office.
Each season, I adapt how I structure my time. Energy shifts, sunlight hits differently, and so does my approach to being productive and effective. Summer becomes a season where outdoor routines are embraced, workflow is structured to allow for plenty of outside breaks, and my scope is smaller to accommodate last-minute, spontaneous summer adventures or more extended weekends.
I make it a working holiday without taking a vacation by shifting how I operate. I start my deep work block early in the morning and give myself a long afternoon break in the sun. Returning in the afternoon for another lighter work block before shutting down for the day. This summer, I picked a meaty yet creative project that feels expansive and aligned with the season's energy. I'm applying a new framework I've developed, and using this time to refine how I teach it.
Nature has so much intelligence that it continues to teach me. Summer gives us longer days (in the Northern Hemisphere) and an energy boost; plants are in full bloom, birds sing louder, and insects are everywhere. It's a season of growth, abundance and energy.
By being intentional about how you structure your summer and the projects you work on, you can switch off autopilot and channel your full seasonal energy in a more focused and intentional way.
Build A Summer Operating System
How to Create Your Summer Rhythm
For Companies: You can treat this as a strategic opportunity, not a productivity dip, by adjusting systems to match the season.
Lean into async updates more, and use tools that reduce the need for meetings
Pause org-wide larger meetings; clearly state they're on hold until the fall
Offer shorter work weeks; try every Friday or every other Friday off
Set clear summer goals; focus on completion and meaningful projects that don't require as much collaboration
Use slower months for system cleanup: tidy up documentation, workflows or internal processes
For People Leaders: You set the tone. If you model seasonal intentionality in your team's project planning and time management, your team is more likely to follow.
Choose a few high-priority projects for the team; avoid anything that needs tons of collaboration
Cancel or reduce meetings that will be low in attendance well in advance, not last-minute
Normalize time off and model recovery; share why you're offline
Offer walk-and-talk 1:1s to make the most of good weather
Consider Summer Fridays, explicitly say "no meetings after 3 pm."
For Individual Contributors: even if your manager hasn't clued in, you can likely direct your summer subtly without anyone knowing any different.
Pick 1–2 projects that feel good to complete this summer
Avoid taking on too much; make it about completing what you set out to do and not juggling a ton of balls
Ask: What part of my job do I need a break from? And pick projects that give you space from that.
For Entrepreneurs: embracing seasonal flows can unlock a whole new potential in your business, and we all know y'all are bustin' butt.
Adjust your hours to your natural energy flow (e.g., work mornings, beach afternoons)
Choose a theme or seasonal focus that is meaningful and requires more creativity
Give yourself permission for mid-week adventures when the weather calls
Summer Operating System Checklist:
Set a summer theme: i.e. ease, flow, curiosity, creativity, completion
Pause or delay: highly collaborative or energy-draining projects
Complete: pick 1-2 things to wrap up by August
Implement rituals: i.e. morning beverage outside, early sign-offs on Fridays, Sun breaks between meetings
I preach the integration of personal energy and nature's cycles because I believe we can do more and better... And that "work-life balance" is a façade. That work-life integration feels much more in tune, and by integrating personal energy and nature's cycles, we can work more effectively and accomplish more while giving ourselves the space and break we need cognitively to be more successful.
Summer has its own wisdom. When we align with it, we unlock a unique mix of focus and freedom. The season invites joy, spontaneity, and creative flow if we let it. I hope you'll give some of this a try, and let me know how it works out for you!
