Summer is the only season of the year that seems to have a definite end date. After Labour Day, it’s back to school, back to work, back to our old lives before the carefree days of summer. Here in Vancouver, it’s not like we had that long of a summer as far as the weather went anyways, so now is as good a time as any to get back to it.

With the batteries recharged, here are a few tips for getting back into the swing of things.

1. Clean up your workspace.

Today I got back in the office and cleared everything off my desk, filed all the papers, and gathered the old receipts. Now I have a clear space, a clear mind, and my accountant will be happier with all the up to date receipts.

2. Clear out the email inbox

There’s nothing like the look of an empty email inbox to give you that sense of being on top of things. For help and tips on how to get on top of your email management, check out Merlin Mann’s series called Inbox Zero at 43folders.com

3. Reevaluate your marketing mix

As people head back into the office, now is the time to get your message out there about your product or services. Review everything that you’re doing to get customers in the door and ask yourself, “Is this talking to my ideal client?” If your marketing is not targeted to the exact kind of customer you want to walk in the door, it’s not going to be effective. Marketing is always a process of figuring out what works (not what we think is working, actually measure), and doing more of the good stuff, less of the bad stuff. The fall is a great time to get that message out there when people are once again around to hear it.

4. Keep some part of summer alive

Many people dread the day after Labour Day as the time when fun has to cease. The truth is that summertime is really a state of mind. Yes, the weather may be better for outdoor activities (unless you’ve been in Vancouver the past few months), but many of the enjoyable activities that we associate with summer can continue all year round.

Keep reading those summer books, a trashy novel is great any time of year. Invite people over for an indoor party instead of an outdoor BBQ. Plan your winter getaway, or even better, make plans for regular breaks from the office instead of a single long summer vacation. This may be easier for those of us who are entrepreneurs and control our own schedules, but remember we’re the people that rarely go on vacation at all. Put on some Jimmy Buffett, get out the blender and make margaritas, just to celebrate the fact it’s Thursday. Take your kids to the indoor pool and go for a swim. Or get your best Hawaiian shirt and celebrate Aloha Friday as I do.

While the weather outside may be grey, with a little effort we can keep that summer state of mind going all year round.