Photo / Tim Greenway
Nancy Marshall
Updated: July 11, 2025
How To
Back to the grind: How to power through dull work when summer's calling
Photo / Tim Greenway
Nancy Marshall
By Nancy Marshall, Marshall Communications
It’s the Monday after a holiday weekend, and if you’re anything like me, you’re feeling the pull of the outdoors more than ever. The forecast calls for a heat wave, the lake is sparkling, the pontoon boat is beckoning, and let’s be honest — your inbox is not.
After more than three decades in public relations, I’ll admit: I still have moments where my to-do list feels more like a “don’t-wanna do” list. There’s always a proposal to write, a spreadsheet to update, or some long-overdue administrative task like creating a monthly report that doesn’t exactly light my fire. And yet, these less glamorous aspects of our work are just as essential as the exhilarating ones, such as landing a new client, launching a successful campaign, or speaking to a packed room of engaged professionals.
So, how do we find motivation when we’re dreaming of paddleboards, not PowerPoints? Here are five strategies I use to keep my focus sharp, even when the sunshine is tempting me to pack up and head to the lake:
Time block your day like a boss (with breaks built in)
I’ve long been a fan of time blocking, which involves carving out specific chunks of time on your calendar for particular tasks. But here’s the twist—add in time blocks for breaks outside. Knowing you’ve scheduled a 15-minute sunshine walk at 11 a.m. or an iced coffee with a friend at 3 p.m. gives your brain a little reward to look forward to. This makes it easier to buckle down during the “grindstone” time, knowing the beach isn’t going anywhere.
Eat the frog — then go for a paddle
There’s a saying (often attributed to Mark Twain): “If it’s your job to eat a frog, do it first thing in the morning.” In other words, tackle your most dreaded task first. Once that’s done, the rest of your day feels easier by comparison. I pair this approach with a “treat” afterwards — maybe it’s lunch on the dock or a quick swim in the lake. It’s a combination of productivity and summer joy that makes even the dullest task more tolerable.
Reconnect to the 'why' behind the work
When a task feels meaningless or mundane, take a minute to step back and remember the bigger picture. Who are you helping by completing this task? A client, a colleague, your future self? Maybe the spreadsheet you’re filling out today will inform you of a vital decision tomorrow. Perhaps that quiet administrative work will secure a long-term future for your business or retirement savings. Remember: this isn’t just busy work, it’s part of building something bigger.
Use your senses to set the scene for focus
If you’re stuck indoors when you’d rather be outside, bring a little bit of summer to your workspace. Open a window. Diffuse an essential oil that smells like the forest or the ocean. Put on a playlist of birdsong or lapping waves. Small environmental tweaks can shift your energy and help you channel your inner Maine guide — navigating your workload like you would a quiet stream, with calm and intention. (Fun Fact: I became a registered Maine whitewater raft guide back when I was handling PR for Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort….and that was not mundane at all!)
Adopt a 'sundown finish' mindset
When I really want to be outdoors, I give myself a promise: “If I can finish XYZ by 4:50, I’ll shut the laptop and head straight for the water.” This deadline provides me with urgency without stress. It motivates me to cut distractions and work with focus. Sometimes the best productivity booster isn’t a longer workday, it’s a shorter one with a sweet reward at the end.
Even after all these years, I still have to give myself pep talks to stay on task. I remind myself that not every day in business is fireworks and fanfare — some days are just quiet, steady progress. But it’s that consistency, the showing up, the checking off of even the smallest tasks, that adds up to success over the long haul.
If you know me, it’s the social aspects of the job that motivates me. Although I love my summer days, I also look forward to fall networking events and speaking engagements. In the meantime, I will take that evening canoe ride on the lake and listen to the sweet call of the loons.
So go ahead: put your nose to the grindstone, but don’t forget to lift it up in time to catch the sunset. That’s the rhythm of a Maine summer — one productive day at a time.
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