Use the Remaining Weeks of Summer to Get Ahead by Phil Guener

For many RIM Professionals, summer is a time when work slows down a bit. Meetings are hard to schedule because everyone seems to be out on vacation, and the sweltering heat seems to steal whatever ambition you thought you had. If you are like most RIM Professionals, the summer months offer a slower pace due to obligations in and out of the office, and you may find yourself trying to stay motivated and productive.

Here are a few suggestions that will not only help pass the time during the remaining weeks of summer, but will actually get you ahead of the game for when things get busy again.

Write Something

Set aside 15-20 minutes of your work day to write about whatever is on your mind - particularly things you haven't had time to focus on during busier parts of the year. Think about what you need to accomplish this year, and how you are going to get there. Identify things that are working well for you, and what could allow you to do your job better. Spending time just to think and write may sound like a luxury, but by putting your thoughts down on paper, you will find yourself identifying gaps, sketching out goals, and innovating solutions. Give it a try!

Read Something

I have a strong suspicion that somewhere in your office there is a pile of RIM-Industry magazines, still in their plastic mailing wrap and begging to be read. Start with whatever has the most interesting cover, and begin skimming until you find something that grabs your attention. You might be surprised at how much useful content these publications contain. Even if you just read the highlights or a few featured articles, it's always good to stay current on what's happening in the RIM industry. You may even pick up a new piece of knowledge that you can regurgitate to your manager at the perfect moment.

Stop Procrastinating

We've all had those projects we eventually need to get around to doing, and we've become quite good at rationalizing our procrastination. This is your chance to tackle it! While everyone else is off standing in long lines at amusement parks, you can finally go through that file room of legacy boxes that need to be sorted. I know it doesn't sound as fun as relaxing at a beach somewhere with a drink in your hand, but the feeling you'll have when it's done will be (almost) as nice. Make a plan, create a great playlist for your iPod, and get to work. Tackling the toughest project on your to-do list will make everything after it seem like a piece of cake.

There you have it: a few simple ways to be productive at work for the rest of the summer. The best part is that these habits don't need to stop when summer ends; you can continue them throughout the year to continue staying ahead of the game. With good habits in place at work, you'll actually be able to enjoy what's left of summer - hopefully poolside with some SPF and a big glass of iced tea.

Follow Phil on Twitter @Phil_Guenther

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2015/service-lines/records-management-an...
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