As a work-from-home entrepreneur, you probably feel the changing seasons more than traditional office workers, but do you have a distinct summer work routine that enhances your WFH lifestyle during the season of sunshine?
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and you might already be feeling that shift in the air.
The days are getting longer. The kids might be out of school and home more often. Sunshine calls you outside. There are so many changes as spring rolls into summer.
Instead of fighting the change, what if you welcomed it?
What if you built a summer work routine that actually works for you — one that keeps your productivity humming while also making space for joy, rest, and appreciation of this life you’ve built for yourself?
This isn’t about cramming more in or powering through.
It’s about aligning with the rhythm of the season so you can work smarter, not harder.
Let’s walk through how to create a summer routine that fuels both your business and your well-being.
Start by Noticing the Shifts in Your Life and Work
Summer doesn’t just bring heat — it brings change.
Your environment, your energy, your household schedule, and even your clients’ availability might all shift in the summer months. That means your ideal work routine in June and July probably won’t look like it did in February or March.
Before you plan your new summer work routine, take stock by considering the following:
- What’s changing in your household schedule?
- How does your energy tend to feel in warmer months?
- What’s different about your work flow or client activity?
- Where do you want more freedom or more structure?
As you answer these questions, give yourself permission to adjust — not just react. To be proactive, not reactive.
Design a Summer Work Routine that Works for You
Now that you’re aware of what’s shifting, let’s build a summer routine with intention and purpose. One that will serve you in this season.
Here are five pillars to include:
1. Anchor Your Days with a Consistent Morning and/or Evening Routine
Summer days can feel looser and less structured — which can be a good thing! But too much looseness can lead to feeling scattered or unproductive.
That’s where a consistent daily anchor helps.
You don’t need a five-step miracle morning (although Hal Elrod is amazing, and I recommend reading The Miracle Morning if you haven’t). And you don’t need to join the 5 a.m. club (although that’s another book — The 5 a.m. Club by Robin Sharma — I recommend as a must-read).
All you need is just a short, repeatable rhythm that signals the start or end of your workday.
Here are some examples:
- A 10-minute journaling session with coffee before logging on
- A short walk or garden check-in before you sit down in your home office or after you close your laptop for the day (or both!)
- Reviewing your calendar and setting top priorities for the next day
For me, summer mornings often start with a swim — it’s one of my favorite ways to get daily movement in when the weather is warm. That means on “swim days,” I shift my start time later than usual.
I’ve learned to account for this seasonal change in my habits and build it into my expectations for work.
Remember, it’s not about rigid routines. It’s about rhythms that serve you in this new season.
2. Block Your Time Around Your Real Energy and Priorities
Your energy naturally ebbs and flows throughout the day — and in summer, you might notice different rhythms.
If you find you’re more focused early in the day, protect that time for deep work. If afternoons drag, use them for admin tasks, lighter creative projects, or even outdoor breaks.
Time blocking can help you stay productive without burning out. For example, here’s a simple summer-friendly format:
- Morning: Deep focus work (client delivery, content creation, etc.)
- Midday: Break, incorporating movement or family time
- Afternoon: Lighter tasks, meetings, or catch-up time
My west-facing home office gets really warm during summer afternoons, so I schedule my day accordingly. You can do the same, whatever that may look like for you.
Think of it like adjusting your sails to catch the wind — not trying to row harder.
3. Build in Space for Seasonal Joy
Let’s not forget: summer is meant to be enjoyed.
Whether it’s a spontaneous pool day, a long weekend getaway, or just taking time to read a book in the sun, your routine should include space to actually live your life.
That could look like any (or all!) of the following:
- Scheduling a half-day Friday every other week or once a month
- Planning “flex days” where you work lightly, if at all
- Blocking one afternoon each week for a long lunch, solo date, or family time
Even the smallest joys — like stepping out to check your garden between meetings — can make a big difference.
For me, those garden breaks are a grounding joy all year long. But in summer, they become even more important. It’s not just a mental reset — it’s a moment of stewardship.
I might be making sure the tomatoes aren’t sprawling outside their cages or gently guiding squash vines into their netted archways.
A quick glance at the drip irrigation lets me know whether the plants are staying nourished — and it reminds me that I need nurturing too.
4. Set Seasonal Goals — and Keep Them Simple
You don’t need a jam-packed summer to make it successful.
Instead of trying to “catch up” or hustle harder during slower months, ask:
- What are my top 1–3 priorities this season?
- What would make me feel proud and peaceful by August?
- What can I pause or simplify … for now?
Then reverse-engineer your work routine to support those few things.
Remember, productivity doesn’t mean doing more — it means doing what matters, with clarity and care. Summer can be a powerful time to zoom out, reset your goals, and let go of what’s no longer aligned.
5. Communicate Clearly — with Clients, Family, and Yourself
If your schedule is shifting for summer, don’t keep it a secret.
- Let your clients know your summer hours or response times.
- Block off vacation time in advance and use an autoresponder for email and text messages if needed.
- Communicate boundaries with your family or housemates so they know when you’re working.
- Be honest with yourself about what’s sustainable — and when to ask for help.
Clear communication keeps expectations realistic and stress levels low. It helps you create a summer routine that supports you and the people who rely on you.
Productivity and Joy Can Coexist in Your Summer Work Routine
You don’t have to choose between success and enjoying the season. You don’t have to earn your summer bliss. You get to work with it.
By designing a routine that’s both productive and joy-filled, you’ll set yourself up for a season of meaningful momentum — without the burnout.
Start small. Stay flexible. And give yourself grace.
Let’s make this your most sustainable and joy-filled summer yet.
You’ve got this.
Need Help Creating Your Summer Work Plan?
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