Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

Leading Etiquette Expert and Modern Manners Authority Diane Gottsman’s official blog, with Business Etiquette, University Etiquette, Social Media Etiquette, Dining Etiquette and more.

8 Ways to Take Advantage of Summer Before It’s Gone 

31 Jul 2017 By: Diane Gottsman

Summer is flying by and before you know it you will be shopping for back-to-school supplies.

Sumer Fun

There’s still plenty of time left to check a few things off your warm weather bucket list. Take advantage of these seven ideas to have a little fun in the sun.

Go on a Spontaneous Roadtrip

Nothing says summer like classic tunes and the open road. Grab a girlfriend and head north (or south, or west, or anywhere) without a compass or a destination in mind. It might seem like this kind of spontaneity is out of the question, but if you don’t do it now, you never will. The carpool line is around the corner so set your GPS today!

Kick Your Smartphone Addiction

We all spend too many hours swiping, scrolling, and typing – all the while connected to screens. Research confirms smartphones can disrupt your sleep cycle and even contribute to depression and anxiety. Set attainable goals that allow you to break up with your smartphone. Start by turning off notifications, deleting time-wasting apps, and placing your phone on silent. Spend the day with your kids or friends and see how you feel. Encourage your kids to stay off their devices by offering alternatives like books, a backyard pool or a fresh new bucket of sidewalk chalk.

Daydream

A walk on your local green belt or a morning run by the lake is perfect opportunities to spend time thinking about goals, plans and your future. What do you want out of your career? What are your planning for the upcoming season? Let your summer brainstorming session be the catalyst to thejourney ahead.

Explore Your Hometown

Play tourist by approaching a familiar city as a newcomer. Are there sights you’ve never seen, hikes you’ve never done and restaurants you’ve never tried? You don’t have to bring the family on a lavish vacation to squeeze in more fun this season. Spend a weekend on an adventurous staycation – you’ll be surprised what you find.

Learn a New Skill

Use your summer down time to develop a new talent. Sign up for a yoga class, take up playing a musical instrument or learn how to paddle board. A new challenge will stoke your sense of curiosity and keep your mind engaged. Even learning how to use a new piece of kitchen equipment or changing a tire boosts your self-confidence.

Foster a Healthy Habit

It’s been proven that it takes 21 days to create a new habit. Whether it’s waking up early or working out regularly, use the end of this season to develop a healthy new routine and carry it into autumn. Commit to drinking more water, walking on your lunch breaks or eating an extra piece of fruit every day. Get your annual doctors exams over with before the start of Fall. You will feel better without the nagging feeling hanging over your head.

Make Memories

Summer’s loosely defined schedule can be nice, but toward the end of the hot months, your family might start to get stir-crazy. Think of activities that may end up being your kids’ favorite summer memories. You may want to mandate 30 minutes of reading every day and stock the shelves with finds from the library. Or you can gift each child with a kit to learn a new skill such as origami or calligraphy. Be creative and see where your vision takes you.

Start a Fall Countdown

Will your kids be transitioning to a new classroom or starting kindergarten soon? Are you starting a new position in your career or making a big move after summer’s end? Give yourself and your family time to prepare with a light-hearted countdown. There are plenty of ideas on the internet to create a visually-pleasing countdown calendar—get the kids involved and create one to mark the end of one season and the beginning of another.

Summer is slipping away fast, but you can make the most of these final weeks while getting every last benefit before it’s gone!

For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, you may enjoy 10 Steps to Living a Full Life. Read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life. 

Signature

Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.