Is summer vacation right around the corner for you? Or perhaps it’s a few weeks away, and for now, you’re navigating work with the kids off school or it’s just regular, everyday life.

Maybe you’re feeling so overwhelmed that you can’t wait for a break. Or maybe, like me, you’re feeling like you gave it your best and now you’re ready to shift gears.

To slow down the pace and let work go for now. No meetings or emails or social media. To be present and enjoy some summer fun.

Whether you are heading off for summer vacation or it’s just a regular week coming up, it’s sometimes hard to know what to focus on when you have a lot on the go.

And it can feel even harder sometimes to give yourself permission to do what you truly want to do… to prioritize your joy or the break you need and want.

This takes a different way of thinking and approaching your days. To do less, but more of what really matters.

It gets easier when you’re clear on your real priorities—not the mile-long to-do list, but your top three priorities over the next couple months in your work, in your personal life and relationships, and for you, personally.

You can also zoom out a little more, and in the grand scheme of things, identify what is the one thing that matters the MOST to you above all else.

When you know what really matters, it becomes easier to figure out what to say yes and no to.

To say no to the things that don’t align with the life you want to live.

To say no to the things that stress you out and chip away at your happiness.

To say no without all the guilt—because you’re saying yes to what matters more.

To get closer to the heart of what really matters.

And when you know what matters the MOST, that clarity can help you especially when you have a tougher choice to make.

I’m heading to the lake today for my summer vacation.

I disconnect for a couple of weeks off in July, and then ease back into a lighter work schedule the rest of summer remotely at the cabin.

In July, I don’t book any client sessions, and I fiercely protect this space. There is something very freeing for me having an open calendar and living on ‘lake time’.

Also, as my kids get older, I am so much more aware how much I value this time with them (even if it’s in spurts now that they are teens and do their own thing).

This means I’ve had to say no to a few good opportunities. This week alone to something that would’ve been great for my speaking career.

But once I saw the logistics, I realized it landed right in the middle of my vacation time—my time to disconnect, rest, and be present with my family.

Saying no at first wasn’t easy. I struggled with the decision. But the decision was clear as soon as I asked myself…

What matters MOST right now?

You see, “most” means one. There can only be one that is the most important.

And for me, that is to prioritize my joy and the life I truly want. Which means saying no to work meetings in July.

When you’re clear on what matters most—in your day, in your season, or in your life—it’s also easier to let go of the guilt and the pressure, and make choices right for you.

This also comes with a perspective shift.

To focus on enjoying the summer and not on all the things that might go wrong or I don’t like or missed opportunities.

We’re heading into a summer that looks a little different than usual.

We’re likely selling our cabin at the end of the season (that’s a story for another day), one teen may or may not want to be there, and, instead of weddings on long weekends, we have two funerals—ones that were postponed from earlier this year.

It would be easy to feel like this summer might be a challenging one. But like every year, I’m going in with intention for it to be “the best summer ever”.

Our happiness is also an inner choice and found in the everyday moments.

From saying no to what stresses you out or isn’t aligned for you.

To being present and enjoying the moment.

To being kind to yourself when you are having a harder time.

To making choices aligned with who you want to be and the life YOU want to live.

I read this in an article yesterday that perfectly explains what I want to leave you with, written by Arthur C. Brooks…

“The first step is an admission that as successful as you are, were, or hope to be in your life and work, you are not going to find true happiness on the hedonic treadmill of your professional life.

You’ll find it in things that are deeply ordinary: enjoying a walk or a conversation with a loved one, instead of working that extra hour, for example.

This is extremely difficult for many people. It feels almost like an admission of defeat for those who have spent their lives worshipping hard work and striving to outperform others.

Social comparison is a big part of how people measure worldly success, but the research is clear that it strips us of life satisfaction.”

As you head into your summer—whatever that might look like for you…

• What will you prioritize in your day or week? And what will you say no to that matters less?

• What perspective shift might help you enjoy the moment more?

• What matters most of all in the grand scheme of things to you?

Be bold. Let this guide your choices.

It really is okay to slow it down for a bit. To switch gears. To let go of the pressure.

You can be present in the moment and with the people around you. You can enjoy your personal time without feeling guilty that you should be doing more.

And if you’re feeling burned out and know you need a break, your intuition is speaking to you. It’s time to listen. Your future self will thank you for it.

The ironic thing is you’ll perform even better and lead even stronger when you do take this time for you.

Work will be there when you get back. These summer moments won’t.

Wishing you a summer with more ease, more joy, and more of what matters most.

Enjoy!