The Back-to-Business Checklist for When Your Brain’s Still on Vacation

Summer’s over, your inbox is on fire, and your brain’s still on vacation. This boss-approved back-to-business checklist turns procrastination into productivity.

Lifestyle Marketing Photography Produced for Hillary Broadwater of QM Design Group

Summer vacation is ending in Santa Clarita this week—and if you’re a parent, you know exactly what that means.

My friend Kathy (local mom, business owner, and professional lunchbox labeler) called me yesterday morning, voice hushed like she was sharing a state secret.

“They’re back in school.”

I could hear the quiet in her office through the phone, as well as the mild anxiety in her tone. It was the sound of relief … meeting exhaustion.

“Listen, I love my kids. But I’ve already cried in the carpool lane twice,” she confessed, “spent $43 on emergency school supplies, and almost sent my kid to school with a lunchbox full of cheese. And now I’m supposed to be a functioning business owner again?!” 

She paused. “Is it too early for a pumpkin spice latte?”

I laughed—but I also wanted to help.

If you’re a parent, summer can feel like a long-distance relationship with your professional life. You still check in, but your attention is split, and nearly all your conversations are interrupted by someone yelling in the background.

Then, suddenly, the kids are gone … and your inbox is a five-alarm fire.

“300 messages?! I don’t even know where to start,” Kathy sighed. “Do I just answer emails until I die?”

I couldn’t help myself—I had to jump in. 

“Kathy, you could spend the rest of the week putting out fires … or you could give yourself the distraction you really need. But the right distraction,” I explained, “isn’t staring at your inbox for half the day, or choosing to ignore it by reorganizing your desk drawer. It’s stepping back from the mundane busy work and catch-up chaos by giving yourself a strategic distraction.”

I could hear her drumming her fingers. She wasn’t convinced. 

“Think of it like learning to control the flames instead of fanning them.”

She leaned back in her chair. “Okay … but how?” 

Immediately the gears began turning in my head, and within minutes I was creating a back-to-business checklist—a strategic little escape from the daily grind that actually sets you up for success in the second half of the year.

Because here’s the thing: working on your business instead of just in it doesn’t have to feel like a slog. It can be the little reset your brain needs to get back in the groove.

“Oh, thank God,” Kathy sighed, setting her stapler back in the drawer. “But I’m still getting the pumpkin spice latte.” 

Your Back-to-Business Checklist

Lifestyle Marketing Photography Produced for Tracy Tofte

Here’s the distraction you’re totally allowed to take. Close your office door, open a notebook or blank document, and pour a fresh cup. If the daily grind is giving you heart palpitations, let’s make procrastination productive—even for just an hour.

1. Audit the First Half of the Year

Look at your marketing from January to June. What worked? What fizzled? Where did your energy (and budget) go? This quick reflection will keep you from repeating the same mistakes and help you double down on what’s working. 

2. Pick Your 6-Month North Star

Choose the one marketing goal you most want to achieve before the year ends—more clients, better retention, a stronger brand presence. Then, looking back on what worked, work backwards from your goal to brainstorm some marketing moves that will get you there. Let that one goal guide every decision you make between now and December.

3. Refresh Your Marketing Collateral

Update your headshots, team photos, and marketing photography now—before the holiday rush. That way, when last-minute opportunities pop up, you’re ready with professional, on-brand visuals. No awkward cropping from that group photo or reusing the same ones from last year again.

4. Plan Your Big Campaigns Now

Fall events, holiday promos and end-of-year specials are right around the corner. Map out the content, visuals and timelines now so you can launch smoothly without panic-posting at midnight in December.

5. Reconnect With Your Audience

Start small. Send a warm “we’re back” email to past clients. DM a dream connection. Or post something personal on social that sparks conversation. Rebuilding momentum is about consistent, genuine touchpoints.

I walked Kathy through each step, and when I was done, she paused like she was deciding whether to thank me or hang up.

“So basically you’re telling me to procrastinate the boring stuff in a way that’s actually productive?”

Exactly.

She laughed, and I could hear the spark in her voice again.

“Alright,” she said. “I’m in. This is way more fun than labeling lunchboxes anyway.”

Ready to make your own strategic distraction count? Try one of the items from this back-to-business checklist and let us know how it goes. We would love to hear about your productive procrastination (and maybe procrastinate our own work for a few minutes)!

About Our Business & Marketing Planning

What if your marketing plan started with your revenue goals—and worked backwards? At SchlickArt, our Business & Visual Marketing Planning service is like the ultimate Back-to-Business Checklist for your brand. We help you create a clear, story-driven strategy designed to deliver real results.

We begin by identifying your ideal income goal, then break it down into monthly targets and a detailed content plan that maps out exactly how to achieve them. Every step is intentional—crafted to support your bottom line while telling the authentic story of your brand. From brand messaging and campaign strategy to visual content that truly connects, we guide you through a marketing approach that feels as good as it performs.

Whether you’re a business owner, executive, or marketing professional, you’ll walk away with a focused plan and the confidence to put it into motion.

Let’s build a marketing plan that’s tailored to your goals—and designed to help you reach them.
Schedule your complimentary consultation today.

Kirsten Quinn

A lover of strong coffee and yellowed pages, Kirsten Quinn-Smith is a professional content writer and owner of WordSmith Content Marketing here in Santa Clarita. She believes great content can forge a loyal, authentic and beneficial relationship between you and your audience – and grow your business. With each piece of writing, Kirsten's goal is to position you in the content spotlight through audience-centered, strategy-based writing that actually sounds like you. Why? Everyone has a story, and every story deserves to be heard.

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