If It’s Snowing Outside, Summer Should Be On Your Mind

It’s hard to think about anything but holiday shopping, parties and last minute preparations for Christmas. But this season is also a perfect time to start preparing for summer.

Not only will you get ahead but create a continuos flow that won’t interrupt the momentum. Here are 3 steps to take now so that summer season doesn’t sneak up on you…again: 

STEP 1: TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE CALENDAR

Map out everything from the last day of program this year to the first of the fall. Make sure you aren’t just planning trips and events but time to:

• Meet with volunteers and student leaders to develop them
• Hang around the office so coworkers remember that you work there
• Dream big and think about the year ahead
• Your vacation (at least a week and make it a priority)

Write out the calendar and share it with your team, coworkers, family and anyone who will want to know where you are in the summer months.  A calendar will bring you and them clarity.

When you know what’s ahead of you it’s easier to execute the next two steps. It’ll also help you find a pace that make the summer as memorable as it was when you were a kid.

STEP 2: MAKE A LIST OF LEADERS TO RUN YOUR SUMMER

Summer is a fun season because of all the trips and events, but they can also be draining on your energy. As you start booking opportunities make sure you have a list of leaders to:

• Take on all the minute tasks from booking buses to permission forms
• Lead meetings with other volunteers, participants and parents
• Possibly go on the trip in your place

Make a list of those people and start meeting with them one on one. Tell them why you think they are right for the task and work with them on the calendar.

If they say, “No.” that’s okay, just move onto the next person. Even if you only have one trip it’s important to learn how to replace yourself. This way the success of it won’t rise and fall on your attendance.

STEP 3: SET METRICS BEFORE YOU SETTLE IN 

Summer time asks for a different type of commitment. It’s important to know whether or not what you put into it is worthwhile.

Before you jump in start looking at how you will measure each opportunities success. You want to be able to determine whether or not:

• The amount of work put in outweighs the benefit
• It competes with what has to get done (i.e. get ready for fall)
• The program aligns with the vision and feeds into what you do

Having these goals will help you know the why behind what you are doing. It will give you the ability to evaluate with others and create a more exciting summer next year.

Don’t allow summer to sneak up on you. Own it, so it doesn’t own you and you can enjoy those summer thoughts in the snow.

What summer planning are you doing right now?

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