8 ways to motivate yourself at work this summer

This season often divides us into two categories: The tortoise and the hare. Do you go slowly as the weather warms up or move full speed ahead? Those who keep going will get ahead.

While others relax, this is an ideal opportunity for you to catch up, reacquaint with your priorities, and position yourself for a more profitable time when the summer slump resides. Of course, leading yourself to push ahead when others encourage you to stay behind and chill can be a challenge.

Here are eight ways to get it done:

Take inventory. What is working now and what needs to change? What did you like best about your performance during the first half of 2012? What would you like never to see repeated? Apply these questions to people, products, and profits.

Run a tournament. Too much on the list leads to procrastination. Turn your list into a sports tournament and choose winners two by two to identify your priority item. Then get to work.

Determine bench strength. Leaders don’t get ahead alone. Who’s on your team? Do they have what it takes for success? Are you carrying them or are they carrying the team and really need a bigger challenge? What moves need to occur?