In my quest to be the ultimate productivity ninja, I regularly try out new ways of working. But one thing I’ve done for quite a while is make sure that I have a Friday ritual of planning for the week ahead.
Now, I know that you’re probably having a #FRIYAY moment so you don’t really want to be thinking about Monday morning, BUT I promise, the advice I’m about to give will help you enjoy the weekend more.
How you end the week seriously impacts on how you start the next week. So if you want to have a great weekend here is what you should do every Friday afternoon.
Give yourself credit for what you’ve done this week.
When you look at your to-do list and see a whole bunch of items that are yet to have the highlighter treatment then it can be disheartening. But look at what you HAVE achieved this week. By acknowledging what you HAVE achieved will give your happiness levels a boost and will spur you on to get back on track when Monday arrives.
Schedule your Monday to-do list on Friday.
Write your to-do list for Monday on Friday. By getting your to-do list done not only do you hit the ground running on Monday but you also give your brain a rest over the weekend as you’re not mulling over what needs to be done.
Clear that desk (and if you’re brave your inbox).
Spend at least 30 minutes on Friday tidying your desk and making sure your inbox is clear – or at least organised. Getting rid of the physical and digital clutter is a great way to end your week. And when you get to your desk on Monday your space will be clear, tidy and ready to work at.
Set firm weekend rules.
If you want your weekends to be free of work then you need to lay the ground rules and make sure that people know that you don’t work weekends.. Don’t give in and check your emails on Saturday evening and whizz off a quick response because it’ll only take five minutes. Hold firm, ignore all emails until Monday or else you’re saying that you’re available at all times and you’ll get stuck in that rut.
Do something when you finish work on Friday that makes you happy.
Shut down properly. Go for a glass of wine with a friend or a colleague, head to the gym, take the dogs for a walk – whatever, have a Friday activity that gives you something to shut down for and symbolises the end of the week. This is especially important if you work from home.
Remember that a little organisation goes a long way and if you spend just 30 minutes planning your Monday, your weekend will be stress free and work free.
These are great tips! Especially sorting out your to do list for the week after on a Friday. I’ve never thought about getting organised for the week ahead before the weekend but it really makes sense, and I think it would really help me relax at the weekend – thank you! x
It really does help x Especially the tidy desk – there’s nothing better than starting work Monday at a clean, tidy space 😀
I find it so hard to switch off over the weekend. I don’t think I ever give myself a break but I should really try and follow your tips because I think everyone needs that space!
What great tips! I really need to switch off more on a weekend!
Great list… I really need to do some of these things.. I always wake up in shock on a Monday that the weekend is over!
What great tips – I can imagine it leaves the weekend less full of worry 🙂 x
Great post! I need to make some weekend rules for myself! I need some relaxing time off.
These are some fab tips, I really need to do some of these!
It’s so funny you wrote this as I’m really trying to do this more recently – ESP as I too work from home – but I’m not so good at sticking to the rules. Reading this has spurred me on though so thank you x x
working from home is the worse! it’s way too easy just to check emails or pop in and see how some things are doing.
I like the idea of setting up the to do list earlier then needed. That is something I will start to do. Thanks
These are such great tips – I love getting things finished off so that my weekend is totally mine and free. Even as a child my homework for the weekend was done Friday evening so I didn’t have to think about it!
The don’t work weekend thing – I wish I could keep my PC off. I’ll have to try harder!
I know! It’s hard but you’ve gotta have some downtime x
Great tips! I love a to do list and writing one on Friday sounds like a great idea!
Great tips and so important to shut yourself and just relax after a week of work on Friday ! My best day of the week 🙂
Thank you for the great tips! Organisation is definitely a must to keep life balanced.
Daniella | Freshly Pressed Beauty
those are great tips. x
Have that big glass of wine I had been looking forward too all week as I don’t drink on a work night x
I really should start doing these things! Especially tidying my desk as that’s usually something I end up doing on Monday and it doesn’t exactly fill me with joy! x
Great tips. I’m terrible for not shutting off on a Friday, I’ve always got my phone in my hand checking emails.