How to stay motivated when it's gorgeous outside and you'd really rather not be at your computer

I'm guessing you can relate. It's summer, and my kids are on vacation. They think I'm on vacation, too, and abandoning the computer is starting to sound pretty good. Just take a short swim, mommy, they beckon like sirens.

I have a handful of hard, externally driven deadlines that I know I need to meet, but for the rest of the work, especially the important-but-not-urgent stuff, how do I stay focused and motivated enough to get it done?

Here are a few tips (and yes, I may have researched this for my own good as well as yours):

Reframe your thinking

You know I always like to come at a challenge by investigating mindset first. Spend a moment reflecting on how you feel about being inside. Are you disappointed? Annoyed? Grateful for the AC? Instead of feeling trapped while all the other cool kids get to go out, remind yourself that you're building freedom later by staying focused now. It can be helpful to add a post-it or other visual reminder that I’m choosing to focus now, so I can unplug later without stress.

Use rewards

Set reasonable goals for your workload. If you have five reports to write or plan on updating your resume, don't aim to write all five reports or do the whole resume today. Instead, make a plan to write one a day or to commit to a "hard work" day where you get twice as much done. After you accomplish what you set for the day, reward yourself. Eat lunch outside or read a book for 20 minutes in the shade. You can even expressly use the weather as a reward - plan to sit in the sun for a few minutes between tasks.

Eat the frog

Mark Twain once said, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." His argument is to get your most important, draining, or daunting tasks done early so you can finish strong (and maybe early). This, of course, means you have to figure out what your frog is and then start in on it before the emails, texts, or other distractions roll in.

Get close to nature

Open a window. If possible, move your desk near natural light. If you can't do either, try to take a walk around the building or the block between meetings. Or, and this is a gonzo move, take your laptop outside and work there. Not only will the movement reenergize you, it will prevent Dead Butt Syndrome (which, yes, is a real thing).

Use the Pomodoro Method

In the Pomodoro method (named after those little tomato-shaped timers people used to have in their kitchens), you set a timer for 25 minutes of focus time and then 5 minutes for short breaks. After completing four 25-minute work periods, take a longer break (15-30 minutes) to unwind.

During your "pomodoros," race yourself to finish something before the buzzer. You can do this with meetings, too - nobody minds staying clearly focused for less time and getting more done.

This site will even set your focus timers and long- and short-break timers. Why not give it a try?

Well, friends, I did it. With one break in the middle to get kisses from my sun-drenched kids, I'm off to my next 25-minute segment and then a short dip in the pool. (Because COME ON, it's a gorgeous day today.)