In a Slump? 11 Tips to Succeed in the Dog Days of Summer

 

Some businesspeople struggle to succeed in summer months. It’s as though they’re in a slump. It’s the hottest and most humid time of the year in many regions. Business seems to stagnate as the weather becomes hotter and sultrier.

Perhaps you can relate. Have you and your team been slumping? Have you lost motivation?

If so, you probably need a break, and fear a sluggish start to Q4. Yes, it will be here before you know it.

Get a pencil and paper for these 11 tips:

1. Consider the big picture. Write down what success means to you. What does it look like? Envision your success.
2. Assuming you’ve written goals for this year, review them. (Hint: If you don’t have written goals, that’s part of your problem.) Are your goals realistic? What’s changed? Are your goals relevant to the situation you’re in now?
3. Evaluate what you want to achieve by the end of the year. Focus on solutions, not the problems. Start doing the necessary footwork. Tackle the most difficult task each morning. This will help to prevent feeling overwhelmed. (See: Business Success Checklist to Work Smarter, Not Harder)
4. Review your mental and physical health. Do you need a physical? Start an exercise program, if only for long walks. Your exercise program might need to include pushing away from the table to avoid extra helpings or dessert. Changing your exercise program often means stop jumping to conclusions about trivial matters or threatening issues. Consider a new thought response: “No matter what there are no big deals; no matter what.”
5. Check your cash flow. Review what’s working and what isn’t. Stop procrastinating on financial decisions.
6. Remove all stress factors to the best of your ability. This usually includes getting rid of all clutter.
7. Spend more time listening to your employees. (See: Profit Drivers – How and Why to Partner with Your Employees)
8. Devote more attention to your personal life – your significant other, family, friends and pet. Read a good book, and spend time enjoying your forgotten hobbies to clear your thoughts.
9. Practice the principle of contrary action – change your routine in all that you do. For example, drive to work using a different route. When you go grocery shopping, steer the cart down a different aisle than you normally do. This will help you to become more open-minded, and you’ll more readily spot opportunities for growth.
10. Plan a break whether it’s for a week or a long weekend. Get the help you need so you can disappear from work. You can’t afford not to take a break.
11. Volunteer some time to help a charity or someone less fortunate than you are. Believe me, there opportunities everywhere. You’ll feel better and will have an extra spring in your step.

Do these things and you’ll break out of your slump.

From the Coach’s Corner, here are related tips:

• Four Tips to Motivate Employees When You’re Facing Adversity 
• 5 Tips If Your Web Site’s Traffic Slows in Summer Months

“Slump? I ain’t in no slump… I just ain’t hitting. “
-Yogi Berra

 

__________

Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is also a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.