Sunday is the best day to plan your work week. Why do I like to plan my entire week on Sunday? I do not do very detailed planning. I just glance over at what my entire week will look like. This mental practice and some to-do lists on a sticky note help me to remain focused the entire week. I can say no to unnecessary requests from family, friends, and colleagues.
This also makes life a little bit easier, and you will not hate Mondays anymore. Hating Monday is universal. Then, why shouldn’t we take some time on Sunday to make Monday less scary? I do not want to start my week with frustration and anxiety. We all have so much work pending. But not all work requires your attention this week. So, mental clarity about the week ahead will come from planning ahead and will ensure you have a calm and organized life.
Review Your Calendar
Always review your calendar to identify upcoming big events and unavoidable meetings – you need to know that. Meetings consume a significant amount of time and don’t allow you to solely focus on your tasks. Always block time on your calendar for working on your most important deliverables. Apart from that, block time for doctor’s appointments, date nights, yoga and wellness, dining out, and self-love. We all need time blocked on our calendars so that we won’t forget that we are more than our work or title. We have other priorities, too. Digital calendars are your friend in this case.
3 x 3 Mental Workouts
1. Start by identifying the 3 most crucial and non-negotiable tasks for the entire week.
2. Next, plan your daily tasks around these 3 tasks. It doesn’t have to be overly detailed; simply glance at your calendar and mentally prepare for the upcoming week. Try to work on these tasks daily by blocking 3 different time blocks each day. Or if you like to work in batches, finish one task each day and then move on to the next important one.
3. It’s important to note that these 3 tasks shouldn’t be small, mundane tasks like returning emails or scheduling meetings. They should be tasks that require your focused attention and offer the highest return on your time investment.
Meal Planning
Meal planning is a game-changer for both health and savings. Especially if you’ve got kids, investing time in meal planning is a must. Personally, I dedicate Saturday mornings to cooking most of my proteins—chicken, beef, and veggies—for the upcoming week. It’s a stress reliever knowing there’s something home-cooked available, saving me from impromptu and often more expensive dining out. I recommend utilizing digital grocery services for added convenience and to save time. It might feel challenging initially, but you’ll gradually improve your meal-planning skills. For me, prioritizing health and my body is a top goal this year.
Self- love to avoid Monday Blues
After you are done with planning, give yourself and only yourself some time. Watch a favorite movie or go to the spa. Pick a favorite book and immerse yourself in it. Just feel your essence and the power within you. Don’t be afraid; rather, be empowered. Have dinner at a nice restaurant and pamper yourself. Self-love goes a long way when it comes to hating and dreading Mondays less.
Plan something fun with the family
We are humans, and we love and crave connections. So, have a specific time planned on your weekend schedule to have some nice and fun family time. Your spouse is busy, and your kids are also busy with schoolwork. But proper planning can make your time together a nice experience and memory to cherish. Take a walk on the trails or visit a museum. It is time we give ourselves a break from our smart lives and go back to nature to gain the calm and energy of nature.
If you are not an outdoorsy person like me, sleep in. Nothing feels more awesome than not waking up to the dreaded alarm clock sound. Play indoor games like Monopoly, chess, and Jenga. Teach your kids chess, and they will thank you later. This will definitely make you feel more confident and energized about Mondays.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that your weekend also demands mindful planning. There is a quote, “We don’t fail to plan, we plan to fail.” So, how well you plan your week in advance will determine the success and fulfillment of your weekdays, both at your workplace and at home.
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