When summer is in full swing, making continuous progress on your goals on a lazy summer day by the pool can be challenging. But being surrounded by summer vibes is no reason to put your goals or commitments on hold. By always carrying essential productivity tools, you'll stay on track and be in a better position in autumn. To keep it light and breezy, we recommend the following bare essentials:

summer vibes aren't a reason to put goals on hold

• A light, large, unisex tote. Backpacks in summer are uncomfortable and leave embarrassing wet patches when you take them off. Totes hold as much as backpacks, but are light and easy to carry over the shoulder or at the handles. (The Everlane totes we featured in issue 9 are perfect summer companions.)


• A notebook. A Moleskine Cahier or Field Notes with their soft paper covers are light and spacious enough to take down random notes the entire season.


• Short and long-term goals. Carry them with you to remind yourself what you could and probably should be working towards.


• Writing instruments. A blue, black and red pen, a highlighter and/or a stylus.


• Reading material. Load your tablet with books you’ve been putting off or next semester’s textbooks and articles. If you’re learning something that relies on memory, bring flashcards or try a flashcard app.


• A bottle of water. Always keep a few bottles in the fridge ready to go. Avoid productivity killers, such as headaches, by staying hydrated.


• A meal plan. It’s all too easy to lose track of what you’re eating, how much you’re spending and how nutritious your meals are when everyone's having ice cream, snow cones and fruit smoothies.


• Sun protection. This includes sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and an umbrella. Suffering from a burn or headache isn’t only unhealthy, but it can be a downer on plans. Protect your skin, health and reduce the risk of an avoidable distraction, sunburn.