Do you feel like your weeks tend to start off a bit rough? I know the feeling. Sunday funday can lead to a not so productive Monday, if not planned correctly. As a time management coach, I help clients increase their productivity. We are all given the same 24 hours yet some of us use it more strategically than others. Many people struggle to stay organized and focused, which results in poor results. Additionally, people often don’t have the tools to take their big goals for the year and create smaller benchmarks to achieve their larger goals. Then, they feel doubtful and are dissatisfied with their life. This habit becomes a cycle until you decide to break the cycle and implement a new strategy. Here are six ways to start having a better and more organized week:
1. Plan your week at a glance
On Sunday’s I write everything I want to accomplish in the upcoming week on a notepad. I then circle the top priorities and allocate each task over the course of the week. I make sure that these tasks latter up to my monthly goals which align with my yearly goals. After my week at a glance is completed, I write my Monday to-do list. I reevaluate my to-do list every day of the week. For instance, if something gets reprioritized on Monday, I allocate it to another day.
I use the BossBabe planner which makes this very easy. However, this system can be done manually on a piece of paper or digitally. Make sure to be realistic and plan accordingly. Don’t give yourself a task that takes 4 hours when you only have 2 hours available to do it. If that’s the case, work on half of that specific task one day then the other half another day. With trial and error or with a coach (like me), you’ll find a planning method that works for you.
2. Find a balance between your play and work
Most people do the majority of their work during the weekdays. Having designated work hours are important but so is taking breaks. Unfortunately, many companies don’t respect lunch breaks. The first team that I worked with valued not having meetings between 12pm-2pm and I’ll forever value my experience at that ad agency. During those hours is when I got to know my team. We would often take lunch breaks together or go for a walk. Breaks in the middle of the day can do wonders for your mind. In addition to breaks, make time to play.
Do something fun every day. Incorporating fun into your day will boost your morale. Just make sure to not get carried away and forget to get your work done. Friday doesn’t have to be the only day you have fun. Don’t treat the work week like some desolate place you have to endure and treat the weekends like it’s the only time you can live again. Reward yourself daily for your productivity.
3. Implement a morning routine
Don’t roll over and immediately start your day. That is a setup for a poorly organized day. You also don’t show up as your best self when you don’t give yourself some time to warm up to the day. I love to start my morning off with drinking water, taking in some sunlight, reading, meditation, and journaling. I avoid checking my phone until my morning routine is completed. That’s what centers me before I face the demands of my productive schedule.
Your morning routine sets the tone for your day, better allowing you to control your schedule rather than your schedule controlling you. Morning routines will help alleviate that feeling of time slipping by and you feeling a lack of control over your schedule. Writing down your routine not only gives you a greater level of awareness but also gives you the opportunity to optimize your routine in ways you might not have thought of before.
4. Reflect on your progress daily
I love to reflect on my day. Sometimes we forget to reflect on all the progress we’ve made. Reflecting on your day can include answering a couple of questions in your journal or talking to a loved one about your day. Here are the questions I use to reflect every day:
1, What went well today?
2. What didn’t go so well?
3. What am I going to do tomorrow to improve my day?
5. Plan your meals ahead of time
Cooking daily is exhausting and buying food daily drains your bank account. Meal prepping is a life changer. I suggest planning some meals ahead of time that you want to cook. I like to use Pinterest for inspiration. Next, include all the items you’ll need to make these meals on your grocery list. Then find time over the weekend to make your meals for the week. I typically cook dinner twice a week and that’s it. That’s excluding breakfast, which I make daily because it’s super quick.
6. Smile
Smiling helps boost your mood in any situation. The more you smile on the outside, the more you’ll feel the happy energy on the inside. When you’re stressed, smiling is probably not the easiest thing to do. However, force yourself to smile and say positive affirmations to yourself. Smiling and laughing is one of the best ways to instantly lighten your mood and keep your momentum going throughout the day. So remember to smile and find one thing to feel grateful for in that present moment to power through your week.
Building new habits isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Start small and work your way up. This will bring you closer day by day to achieving your long-term goals. If you’re interested in booking a free time management strategy session with me, click here. During this strategy session, we’ll discuss how you’re currently spending your time, how you want to be spending your time, and what’s preventing you from accomplishing those goals.