Everyone’s away on vacation, you are vicariously living through your friends and co-workers Instagrams: snapshots of lobster rolls and laying on a swan float in a pool in some beautiful beach town. Here you are…trying to soak up the last days of your precious summer…in an office. Trust me you are not alone!

Here are 4 simple ways to stay motivated at work during the last morsel of summer, and even get ahead!

1. Exercise before work: Get the juices flowing before work, the endorphins will give you energy and make you happier. You don’t have to wake up at 5am and drag yourself to a concrete box that we call a gym. Roll out of bed in your pj’s and follow a 15 – 30 minute YouTube video of your choice in your living room, no equipment required. A few of my favorite go-to channels: Tone It Up, POPSUGAR Fitness, and Grokker.
2. Get outside for lunch: Instead of eating at your desk in front of your monitor flipping through Facebook and Instagram and getting jealous of everyone on vacation, get outside for lunch. I know that’s not always possible, but even walking around the block to grab food or just to clear your head will go  long way.  If you have extra time, grab your favorite meal and sit in the park – treat yourself! You will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the afternoon!
3. Pretend you’re on vacation: After work meet up with friends for a drink or dinner at an outdoor spot. For you New Yorkers, there are so many great rooftops and bars on the water, show those vacationers up by sipping some rose at some of my favorite places that feel like vacation: The Boat Basin, North River Lobster Co., Grand Banks, and there are so many more!
4. Get ahead: With your colleagues and clients out enjoying the sunshine, take advantage of the down time and knock out a few of those long term projects. We are all going full speed ahead fighting fires as they start, this is the time to plan the rest of your year, set goals, and check those to do’s off that list. You will feel quite satisfied!

Stop feeling sorry for yourself and treat yourself! Just because you aren’t on vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun during these last days of summer in the city. And this is the time to get organized, take advantage of it, you will thank yourself later. Go get ’em!