With August around the corner, summer is, I’m sorry to say, fading fast. Some of you are going back in only a few weeks. Some of you will be in your library weeks before it is necessary, so you feel more prepared. Did you have fun during your vacation? Take time to read something wonderful or go to some place special? How many books did you take off your TBR pile? What if you could carry some of that summer joy and relaxation into the school year or rekindle it when you need it?

Ken Blanchard, bestselling author of leadership books including The One Minute Manager, has some ideas you can use in his blog post Have a Summer Attitude at Work and at Home. If you can start putting his recommendations in place now, you will build the habit before your work schedule tries to pull you off track.

Blanchard says to Take Time to Recharge Yourself and gives these ways to do it and plan for it:

• Get up a little earlier – You don’t want to start your day in a rush. You don’t do that in summer. Whether you exercise, journal, or meditate, this is how you bring a calm mindset to begin the day. A few extra minutes in the morning can have a lasting impact.
• Make plans to take a break from the ordinary – What small pleasurable thing can you do that’s different from your routine? Whether you set up a date with your spouse or a friend to have dinner out or make fun plans for the weekend, having something you enjoy waiting in your immediate future to adds a lift to your day. Think of how fun it will be to put in your calendar and see the day get closer.
• Use your vacation or PTO days– This suggestion of Blanchard’s works if you can plan ahead for when we do have off, whether that’s long weekends or winter/spring breaks. You may also be able to get time off to attend a conference during the school year. That’s another way to recharge after school has started again.

Blanchard’s next big idea is to Have More Fun at Work and at Home by:

• Setting the tone – You are a leader, and the library is where it shows up for all to see.  In making it a safe, welcoming space for all, also make it a safe, welcoming space for you.  How does your office help or hinder your mental attitude? What do you enjoy seeing each time you come into the library?
• Keep your own sense of humor at the ready – I’m dating myself with this one, but I always think of the TV program M.A.S.H. Despite all the horrors around them, they always found something to laugh at and knew to take time to each other’s company. Where can you bring or find laughter?
• Celebrate everything – Don’t rush past or overlook any achievement or special day whether that’s yours, or that of others. I keep a daily success journal daily to remind myself about what I did rather than focus on what I didn’t do. Even some of the fun non-holidays can be a fun reason to celebrate (National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day anyone? It’s August 4^th. And Book Lovers Day is August 9^th😉)
• Reframe Your Attitude – This one we’ve heard in many guises. Look for ways to change your mindset. There’s always another way to look at things. Choose a positive one, even if it’s “Welcome to our zoo.” (Maybe make a display of zoo books or books with a “hey, we’re gonna get through this” theme).

You love being a librarian. You love working with students and teachers, and you’re excited to see what this year will bring to them all. You are a leader and have a lot to give. Look for ways to bring some of the joy of summer into your library and your life and look forward to the sunny days ahead.