With the school year winding down educators and their students can be tempted to take it easier than usual. You can almost hear the "T-Minus" clock ticking in the background.

While less stress is generally a good thing, a high pressure schedule can turn to mush without some performance expectations along the way. You can either enjoy a low-stress, low output job or you can simulate stress in order to increase productivity.

Like a good flight simulator, simulated stress can actually enhance the quality of your work.

Simulations might include:

Setting a deadline for a project that would otherwise be put off.

Rewarding yourself for making a commitment and keeping it.

Chopping up your work- I'll only work on this task for the next 40 minutes.

Sticking to your routine.

Pushing yourself to work 30 minutes earlier in the day or 30 minutes later.

Taking on something new so that you don't get bored.

Whatever you decide to do, keep pushing yourself and listen to your gut. At the end of the day, you'll know if you did exemplary work or if that T-Minus clock got the best of you.