Summer is here. As many of us think about our next vacation and what end-of-quarter goals still need to be met, you and your team might feel the weight of the "mid-year" slump. Yes, it's real, and it impacts everyone. Those warm summer days can be draining for your team and lead to a dip in productivity and motivation. 

Working at a desk from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. isn't always the most physically taxing job, but, despite its lack of bodily wear and tear, it can still be a mental battle every day to get out of bed. For many of us, the workday doesn’t begin at 8 a.m., but when the alarm goes off hours earlier. 

For me, the day starts at 5:30 a.m., and shortly after my eyes open, a mental things-to-do list floods my head before I can even wipe the sleep from my eyes. I haven't even brushed my teeth yet! 

This probably happens to most of us, leaving many overwhelmed and sometimes defeated. So, as a leader with a million things on the brain, how can you fight back and help your team achieve peak performance?

As suggested by engagedhr.com, the first step is to remove the obstacles. Provide your team with tools to be successful, create a safe space to share ideas and concerns, and get their feedback. 

I haven't seen your team's resumes, but I’m confident that mind reading isn't within their wheelhouses. So, don't assume they can read your mind and you cannot read theirs. Providing regular feedback shows, as a leader, you're engaged with your team, their work, and their achievements. Also, providing constructive feedback highlights areas of improvement. Constructive feedback gives your team members something to work toward. 

Next, the why? We understand the function of our jobs, but knowing the why helps build investment in the work. At an event last year, Elite Roofing Supply's CEO, Sarah Weiss, gave each team member a card, and on the card was a number. The number represented how many people our work impacted. A small gesture like the one Weiss used helps reminds me how important my everyday projects are. This concept applies to your in-office staff, yard teams, and remote workers. Let your front-line employees in on your company's strategic goals, share the impact of what you do, and celebrate accomplishments with all employees.

Now that you've cleared the path of obstacles and explained the why behind your work, it's time to recognize your team's hard work and celebrate your wins. Celebrating success doesn't have to be a bonus or a free lunch (but it doesn't hurt); sometimes, just giving a small recognition is the best reward. For example, an appreciative note or email can show engagement with your employee's work; it takes little time and is free! 

If you're feeling the mid-slump, don't worry! It is reversible, and salvaging the rest of the year is still possible.