Prime Time, Prep Time, Play Time: Summer Strategies to Make the Most of Your
By now you have heard the term “Stay-cation” which was created to describe the numbers of individuals and families that are staying put this spring and summer rather than traveling to go on vacation. Stay-cationing is a way to find balance during these challenging economic times while also experiencing the fun and escape that comes with being on vacation. Here are some great tips from the Prime Time, Prep Time, Play Time model of The 100 Year Lifestyle that vacationers can use this summer to maximize their work or job search production, stay organized and enhance their environment while also enjoying great playtime to ensure the rest and rejuvenation that we all deserve.
Play Time is the time where stay-cationers can enjoy all the local flavor including the national and state parks, rivers, lakes and museums that may be in your area. Do your homework to find out when the best times to visit these places might be and plan full day excursions so that you and your family can make the most of these Play Time days. Schedule your Play Time days so they are full from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep without letting any work seep in to the day. You may find that one full day of fun activity doing what you love can be just as effective to your well being as a long trip away from home. Refresh your outlook on life by giving yourself permission to enjoy it. If you are currently conducting a job search, try taking a short, quiet break to reset your mind. You can use some of your Play Time to relax, meditate and think about what you really want to do for a career, then use your Prep Time and Prime Time to research and pursue new goals.
Prep Time is when you organize and plan the best use of your time this summer. It includes researching possible Play Time activities, organizing yourself for great Prime Times, planning strategic meetings with clients or team members or extensive projects at work or at home. Prep Time is also good for catching up on important doctor visits that are sometimes difficult to get done during the year. Schedule appointments for your chiropractic adjustments, dental visits or any other appointments you feel might be necessary while you have the freedom in your schedule to get these things done. Make these appointments for your immediate family members. You may also want to invite extended family members and friends visiting from out of town to join you on these appointments so that they can make their health a priority along with yours. Make your Prep days a full day from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep just like you did for your Play Time days. Effectively using your Prep days will make your Play Time more fun and your Prime Time more productive.
Prime Time is about production. This is the time when you are meeting with clients and customers or doing extensive work with your board or your team. Stack your Prime Time days the way that you do your Prep Time and Play Time so that you maximize your impact and your effectiveness on each one of these days without interfering with your “Stay-cation.” This strategy is different than dabbling. If you dabble a little bit each day with these three aspects of time, you will find that you inch yourself forward and feel incomplete. Of course, nobody’s perfect and remember Life Changing Principle #2: Change Happens One Choice at a Time, Think Progress Not Perfection, so don’t expect 100% on each of these days. Even if you hit 80% you will love it, especially if you are a mom with young kids. Having these full days dedicated to either production, planning or fun will help insure that your “Stay-cations” this summer can become some of the most memorable time of your life.
