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Executive Spotlight: How To Set Realistic Goals And Deadlines During The Summer

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During the summer, it can be difficult to set realistic goals and deadlines in the workplace when most employees, including upper management, use their PTO to travel, spend time with family, and take a much-needed vacation. So, how can leaders build practical strategies for prioritizing tasks, managing expectations, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance to ensure successful goal attainment amidst the unique dynamics of the summer season?

We recently asked our leading executives for their best tips on how to set realistic goals and deadlines during the summer.

Here are their responses...

Ana Smith, Leadership Development & Learning Strategist

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Here are some tips on how to set realistic goals and deadlines during the summer:

  • Be specific. What exactly do you want to achieve? Instead of saying "I want to learn more," say "I want to read 10 books by the end of the summer."
  • Make them measurable. How will you know if you've achieved your goal? For example, if your goal is to read 10 books, you could track how many pages you read each day or week.
  • Make them achievable. Don't set yourself up for failure by setting goals that are too ambitious. Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them as you get closer to the end of the summer.
  • Set deadlines. Having deadlines will help you stay on track and avoid procrastination. When setting deadlines, be realistic and make sure you have enough time to complete your goals.
  • Break down large goals into smaller ones. If your goal is to learn a new language, you could break it down into smaller goals, such as learning 10 new words each week or being able to hold a simple conversation by the end of the summer.
  • Be flexible. Things don't always go according to plan, so it's important to be flexible with your goals and deadlines. If you have to miss a day or two of work, don't beat yourself up about it. Just pick up where you left off and keep moving forward.
  • Reward yourself. When you achieve a goal, be sure to reward yourself. This will help you stay motivated and on track.

Here are some examples of realistic goals and deadlines for the summer:

  • Read 10 books by the end of the summer.
  • Learn 10 new words in a new language each week.
  • Complete a summer internship.
  • Volunteer at a local animal shelter.
  • Take a summer class.
  • Travel to a new place.
  • Write a short story or poem.
  • Learn how to cook a new dish.
  • Start a new hobby.

No matter what your goals are, setting realistic deadlines and sticking to them will help you make the most of your summer break.

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the "red thread."

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive

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​I love talking about how the NFL spends the summer season. A large chunk of the summer months in NFL football is known as the dark period. From right after the Super Bowl until the beginning of July, the NFL front office cannot communicate with the players, team staff, or game officials when they should be taking their time away from football.

1. Deep Planning

Following the Super Bowl, NFL league office executives, team owners, and select coaches meet as a competition committee to review the previous season. As a result of these meetings, new rules are born as part of player safety or ways to make the game more competitive and safer.

While working at the NFL, I have been trained to think and work as far into the future as possible. For example, the special events staff works on Super Bowls at least five years into the future. So, for me working in financial operations, budgets and other front office matters have been done for months. Game day staff have been hired for the upcoming season. I take my time off when pre-season is about to start (early August).

2. Execution and Forecasting

During the latter part of July and through August, I focus on setting up new files and Excel spreadsheets, getting ready for the kick-off.

My budget worksheets are set up for multiple years, so I begin to update the following year's budget with the information I know will change based on the already approved collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The deadline for the budget is late November.

3. In Closing - In football, the summer months are downtime mixed with energized excitement for kick-off.

  • Adapt and be flexible.
  • Prioritize and focus.
  • Getting ready to do what we all love.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M - $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive

Professional woman writes down her goalsImage from Bigstock

Summer is a time for relaxation and enjoyment, but it can also be a productive season for setting and achieving personal and professional goals. Whether you're a student, a working professional, or simply looking to make the most of your summer months, setting realistic goals and deadlines can help you stay focused and make meaningful progress.

Here are some tips I've used this summer to set achievable goals and establish effective deadlines to ensure a productive and fulfilling summer:

  1. Take Time to Reflect: As the summer kicked off, I took some time to reflect on my aspirations, considering both short and long-term goals, as well as my ongoing projects and commitments for the upcoming months. This type of reflection empowered me to look at meaningful and motivating goals aligned with my values and ambitions.
  2. Define Specific & Measurable Goals: At the end of summer, I want to reflect on my accomplishments. Clear, specific, and measurable targets are essential for tracking progress. For instance, my goal of staying physically active involves engaging in 15-20 minutes of physical activity at least four times a week.
  3. Set Realistic Goals: While I desire to be physically fit, I acknowledge the risk of frustration and burnout with unrealistic expectations. To ensure success, I consider all factors impacting my goals, including current circumstances, time availability, resources, and mood. I d rather achieve several realistic goals than struggle with one overly ambitious one.
  4. Break Down Goals Into Smaller Steps: I take my goals and divide them into manageable, bite-sized tasks on a weekly or even daily basis. This approach makes my goals more manageable and enables effective progress tracking. With a clear roadmap, I can stay focused and motivated on my journey to success.
  5. Set Deadlines: Deadlines are a powerful motivator to keep me on track toward achieving my goals. However, I recognize the importance of setting realistic deadlines to ensure commitment and avoid overwhelming myself. Striking the right balance empowers me to stay focused and driven throughout my journey.
  6. Prioritize Wisely: With my kids off school and numerous activities during the summer, I ruthlessly prioritize goals that truly make a difference. I cherish the time spent with my family, so I avoid overcommitting myself and spreading myself too thin. Focusing on what truly matters allows me to balance productivity and enjoying precious moments with my loved ones.
  7. Be Flexible & Kind to Yourself: Life is full of surprises and unpredictability. Embrace flexibility and avoid self-criticism if you can t achieve your weekly goals. The bigger picture is your accomplishment over three or four months. Don t let a bad day deter you, and then give up on your goal altogether. Instead, refocus and continue moving forward. The key is to be proud of your overall progress, appreciating the journey rather than fixating on occasion setbacks.
  8. Celebrate Achievements: Above all, take the time to celebrate even the seemingly minor accomplishments. Each milestone represents progress, and celebrating them fuels motivation to achieve, pursue, and do more. Embrace the joy of your achievements, for it is the essence of personal growth and fulfillment.

Summer presents a unique opportunity to set and achieve meaningful goals that bring you one step closer to your dreams and aspirations.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

How do you set realistic goals and deadlines during the summer? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.

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Food Allergies In The Office? What You Need To Know
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Food Allergies In The Office? What You Need To Know

As someone with severe food allergies, I know how difficult it can be to address your food allergies with new co-workers and peers in an assertive yet informative way—especially when starting a new job in a completely unfamiliar environment. How can your place of work be inclusive of employees with severe food allergies?

What Is A “Severe” Food Allergy?

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Severe food allergies are called severe for a reason. They’re life-threatening and should be taken very seriously. When someone with food allergies ingests food that contains the triggering allergen, they can go into anaphylaxis. If not administered epinephrine (an EpiPen) in time to treat the anaphylactic reaction, the reaction can be fatal.

Work Spaces And Food Allergies Don’t Always Mix

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There are about 32 million Americans with food allergies. And with reports that food allergies in children increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011, they won’t be going away anytime soon. Two children in every classroom will soon mean two people in every office. So, what is it like to work in an office with food allergies?

To start, it may mean not having a piece of cake at that upcoming office birthday party. Lunchtime always keeps them on guard, and they usually opt to brown-bag-it, using caution in the cafeteria and shared office kitchens. Maybe they’re thinking about skipping the office outing to an unfamiliar restaurant on Friday, not sure if they’ll be comfortable eating there. Every day in an open office plan could bring anxiety, as they worry about airborne allergens and lack of safe, allergen-free spaces.

If you have food allergies, chances are you can relate to at least one of these things. But if you don’t have severe food allergies, you may be wondering: What does this really mean?

What The Law Says

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In the U.S., based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the definition of “disability” has been modified to include those with severe allergies. This is due to the fact that severe allergies are “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities” (eating, breathing, and major bodily functions related to the immune, digestive, bowel, and respiratory system).

To sum it up:

“No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation.” 42 U.S.C. § 12182.

Anyone with food allergies knows these laws are not widely enforced or known to apply to food allergies (think peanuts being served at baseball games or on airplanes). So, even though everyone in the U.S. with disabilities is entitled to the same rights as able-bodied people, people with severe food allergies often encounter their food allergies in these public spaces and at work and cannot fully partake in whatever activities are going on at these places. More importantly, their health and well-being could be at risk.

Most places of work are considered public places—by legal definition meaning “any enclosed indoor area used by the general public or serving as a place of work containing two hundred fifty or more square feet of floor space.” Therefore, the two laws mentioned above apply, or should apply, to your place of work.

What Employers Should Know

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Good employers want to be as inclusive as possible. Yet it can be hard to be inclusive of those with food allergies if you’re unaware of who has food allergies in your office.

The best way to be inclusive and considerate about food allergies is to ask new and current employees if they have any severe food allergies. And if any do, ask them what you can do to make their work environment safe and comfortable. This shows employees you care, and by acknowledging food allergies as something serious and very, very real, it already establishes that foundation of trust that is so hard to gain in the first place.

Consider what it’s like trying to decide when to tell an employer about your food allergy. When asked if you have a disability on a job application, food allergies are not listed. If there’s a space to check “other” and write in a different answer, you may consider, for a split second, writing in your severe food allergy.

Does your disability require reasonable accommodation?

Yes and no. It’s not a physical disability, in the sense that you can’t visually tell who does or doesn’t have a food allergy. Yet your arrival at a new company could require them to change their policies and culture.

As you can see, it’s not easy explaining food allergies at work when there’s no system in place to deal with them. That’s why, as an employer, you should come up with a system that works for your company. After all, it’s your job to make sure all of your employees feel safe and included.

What YOU Can Do

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If you’re someone with a food allergy, you probably have lots of experience navigating the world with your condition. But the professional world can be a bit tricky.

When starting a new job, it’s best to tell your boss about your allergy as soon as you can, if they don’t bring up the topic first (you’re responsible for letting them know, and you’re entitled to reasonable accommodation!). Then, ask if you can call a meeting to explain your situation to your new co-workers. This will allow for an open dialogue about the subject, and those who have questions will be able to have them answered in a supportive and honest environment.

If you don’t have food allergies, but work with someone who does, please be respectful of their condition. If you’re unsure whether it’s okay to eat something around them, just ask. Communication is always the right choice.

Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable work environment. And it’s important to remember that no one chooses to have a food allergy.

If we all try to be more kind and considerate toward our peers, it will make work better—for everyone!

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What’s Your Executive Decision-Making Style?
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Why It’s Important To Know Your Decision-Making Style

Coworkers work on a team project

If you want to be a good leader, it’s important to understand your decision-making style. When leading a large team of people, you’ll quickly find out that everyone views teamwork differently. By understanding how everyone makes decisions, you’re able to set a direction for the team in which everyone feels included—and potentially avoid clashes among group members.

When team members don’t feel comfortable with the team’s approach, they feel less engaged with the company, and that unhappiness often leads to staff turnover.

Understanding the four decision-making styles also allows you to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. You can evaluate the strengths and limitations of your style, while better communicating your style with colleagues. You also get a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your colleagues’ decision-making styles.

Your Decision-Making Style Is Part Of Your Executive Brand

Group of professionals stand with an executive/leader

If you’re an executive looking for a new job, knowing your decision making-style is also a good way to see if you’ll fit in with a prospective employer. If you get a sense during the interview process that the company’s decision-making style process is the opposite of yours, it’s something to consider before taking the job.

Ultimately, your decision-making style fits into your workplace persona, which makes up your executive brand.

If you’re unfamiliar with your workplace persona, try Work It Daily’s FREE Career Decoder Quiz. Understanding how your decision-making style and workplace persona work together will help you determine your professional strengths so you can market yourself more effectively to employers.

Topics like this and more are discussed every week in Executive Office Hours. In addition to a weekly presentation, each session includes personal stories and updates from other executives in the group.

Are you interested in having access to these private sessions? Check out our executive-level membership. Start working with career expert J.T. O’Donnell on your LinkedIn brand and image management today!

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