Prepare to Downshift (Productive Flourishing Pulse #499 + May Tips)
Creating space for summer's different rhythm
We often think of preparation as something we do before accelerating. But what about preparing to slow down? After all, the shock of going from 100 to 0 is just as jarring as going 0 to 100.
I experienced my own version of this recently after successfully moving from the US to Europe. The months leading up to my international move were exactly what you’d expect: hectic, mentally taxing, with endless to-do lists and logistics to manage. What I didn’t anticipate, though, was how jarring it would be to suddenly enter a slower pace, both externally and internally.
As Steve noted in last week’s Pulse, “Spring Groove to Summer Smooth,” we have about “six focus/groove weeks to make progress on our important work and personal projects” before summer’s different rhythm takes hold. Rather than simply trying to maximize productivity in these remaining weeks, let’s use this time to prepare intentionally for the transition ahead.
May sits at a pivotal transition point in our year. In the Northern Hemisphere, we’re moving from spring’s renewal and growth toward summer’s different cadence, one traditionally marked by tending rather than planting, maintaining rather than building. While most of us may not be tending fields, these natural rhythms still influence our energy, focus, and capacity.
This transition isn’t always smooth. Many of us look at our January goals, notice we’re not where we thought we’d be, and try to cram as much as we can into these final weeks before summer shifts our schedules. Or we ignore the coming transition entirely, planning summer projects with spring-level energy expectations.
This May, I invite you to try something different: intentional preparation for summer’s shifting rhythms.
Understanding the Transition
To prepare effectively, you need to first understand what you’re working with. Consider your:
Energy patterns: May typically brings full days of light and warmer weather. How does your physical and mental energy shift during summer months?
Environmental factors: For many, summer means more time outdoors, different sleeping patterns due to extended daylight, and changes in physical comfort due to heat. What environmental shifts might you intentionally create to align with summer’s energy?
Structural changes: Summer often brings schedule disruptions: kids home from school, vacation plans, team members taking time off. What predictable structural changes will affect your rhythm?
Historical patterns: Look back at previous summers. Were they periods of creative flow, rest, or frustration? What worked well? What didn’t?
For Good Teammates
Summer’s rhythm, and the shift into it, affects how we collaborate with others. Initiate a conversation about how to best work together during this slower season. Consider suggesting alternative meeting formats that embrace the season, like walk-and-talk sessions instead of conference rooms. A simple “I’ll be scaling back my hours on Fridays starting in June” gives colleagues the information they need to adjust their expectations and timelines accordingly.
For Leaders
Your approach to summer sets the tone for your entire team. Taking a family vacation without checking email sends a powerful message, but be explicit about your expectations. Don’t assume your example alone communicates permission. Try scheduling a team discussion in mid-May specifically about summer work patterns and openly acknowledge that capacity will likely decrease. When team members see you planning for this reality rather than fighting against it, they’ll feel empowered to work with summer’s rhythm rather than against it.
As we move toward summer’s changing cadence, remember that preparation isn’t always about doing more. Often it’s about creating the space to be more fully present in whatever the season brings.
~Maghan
Seasonal Transition Toolkit
To support your transition to summer's different pace, here are some insights from our archives that might help you prepare:
Take a Moment
A prompt to pause and reflect.
Take a moment to consider what summer typically means for you. Beyond vacations and warmer weather, how does this season feel different? How would you like it to feel? What qualities of presence and experience do you hope to cultivate this year?
We’d love to hear what’s coming up for you.
Join Us in May
Mark your calendars for our May events, open to our paid subscribers:
Leadership Strategy Session (LSS): Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 11:00 am PDT
Preparing Your Team for Summer's Rhythm ShiftThe transition to summer brings predictable changes in team capacity, energy, and availability. Leaders who anticipate and prepare for this shift create conditions for sustainable productivity rather than fighting against natural rhythms. How might you model a relationship with work that honors both productivity and seasonal energy patterns?
Monthly Momentum Call (MMC): Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 am PDT
Designing Your Summer RhythmAs we approach summer’s different cadence, our projects and creative work require intentional shifts in structure, pacing, and expectations. This seasonal transition offers an opportunity to reimagine how we engage with our most important work. How can you use this natural transition to create a more sustainable relationship with your creative practice?
Smooth Your Transition with Tailored Support
If you’re struggling to balance your goals and projects with the realities of this seasonal transition, whether for yourself or your team, let us help.
Reach out to us (via our interest form) to discuss how we can co-create the right mix of approaches to create your smooth and flowful summer.
In Case You Missed It
Monday’s Post
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May Momentum Planners
The Momentum Planners were built to keep your most important work front and center. Download the free version of our May planners to help you determine what actions and ideas are serving you, and which need a retool.
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