I was just talking with a friend about time perception, and we came around to discussing the summers of our youth, and how they seemed to last forever. We covered the whole “three months as a percentage of your whole life at the time” effect, which I suppose is some part of it. But I argued to him, and I’ll argue to you, that part of what made the summers feel so expansive and lush was how we as kids could and did spend our time.
Summer was about freedom from school schedules and activities, instead embracing play and friends and outdoors and rest. Sure, we did a lot, but in many ways summer was less about doing and more about being. It’s something as adults we strive and sometimes struggle to recapture.
As kids, our lives were simpler, and so staying in tune with our being was easier without all the distractions (we call them responsibilities) of adulting. These days, though, we sometimes need a little help to realign ourselves toward the being and thriving side of our life equation, and less on the productive and doing side.
Now, on the cusp of the summer months, is a great time to reevaluate: to think about which of the areas of our lives we’re going to lean into and which ones we’re going to ease up on.
The 10 Dimensions framework and Wheel of Life worksheet are great tools to help do just that. With those in mind:
Consider which of the 10 dimensions you want more present in your summer. Pick one (max two) you want to emphasize, like:
Family (vacations, kids home from school)
Community (holidays, neighborhood gatherings, visiting friends)
Physical (getting out in nature, trying new activities)
Play (kid summer, right?)
Next, pick two or three dimensions you’re purposely going to downplay during the summer months, like:
Professional (if your job’s or company’s situation allows)
Financial (maybe you put the savings plan on pause for a bit to fund some of your adventures, or perhaps you saved during the rest of the year for just these times?)
On both sides, choose the options that best serve you and the summer you want to create.
~Steve
A prompt to pause and reflect.
What’s one life dimension you want to embrace more wholeheartedly this summer? What’s one life dimension you’d be okay to set aside for a while to put that TEA elsewhere?
We’d love to hear what’s coming up for you.
Some additional resources and tools for creating a summer that aligns with what you want to do and who you want to be.
Our May events are all about preparing for the Summer Rhythm Shift.
[Notes coming soon!] Leadership Strategy Session (LSS) from May 7, 2025
Topic: Preparing Your Team for Summer’s Rhythm Shift
Monthly Momentum Call (MMC): Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 am PDT
Topic: Designing Your Summer Rhythm
Paid subscribers get live access to the MMC and LSS each month, plus extras. Free subscribers, consider upgrading your subscription for invitations to attend live this month and in the months ahead.
If you need a little help gaining clarity on how you want your summer to go, or on the actions you might need to take to get there, our new Catalyst Sessions might be just the right fit.
These 90-minute focused sessions with Maghan ($300 introductory pricing) are designed to address specific challenges without committing to a full coaching package. Whether it’s selecting projects or creating a schedule that honors your summer energy, get the targeted support you need.
Maghan has spots available now, so book them before they fill up, and get the support you need to craft your just-right-for-you summer.
