5 Tips For A Productive Week
Ahhhh Sunday. For some of us, it’s another day to spend time with family and enjoy life. For others, all we can think of is the upcoming work week and endless to-do lists and tasks that wait for us once that alarm rings. The good news is, with a little planning & taking a few minutes to yourself Sunday night – you can set yourself up for your most productive week EVER. Here are 5 ways to help you go absolute BOSS MODE in your life this week (pst… there are 3 BONUS tips at the end!)
1. Make a list of goals for the upcoming week
We often over estimate what we can do in a year and underestimate what we can do in 10 – same applies for your weekly schedule. We often over estimate what we can do in a day and underestimate what we can do in a week! Tell us if this sounds familiar – your brain is a never-ending running to-do list of work, family, chores, fitness, meals, books, etc. etc. etc. On Monday, you may feel one of two ways:
1. Super focused on what you have to accomplish this week
2. Overwhelmed as F
Regardless of where you start, if you don’t have your goals & tasks written down for the week, something is bound to get overlooked.
Take 10-15 minutes Sunday night to map out your week, what you want to accomplish professionally, personally, & physically! We are big fans of writing in an actual planner (we recommend THESE) so we can visually see what our week looks like and plan our free time accordingly! It feels much less overwhelming to see your commitments in front of you, instead of having everything just bouncing around in your brain. #squirrelbrain
2. Meal plan/prep
You don’t have to have every single meal planned down to the T for the next 7 days, but having a general idea of what you’re doing for breakfast/lunch/dinner for the next 3 days is incredibly helpful (and it's one thing to check off your to-do list, see above!).
You’re also less likely to fall victim to "there's-nothing-in-the-house-so-i'm-gonna-order-pizza-every-night-itis" (AKA TEMPTATION) if you have your meals planned and purchased! There is no better way to stick & stay on track than have a few kickass meals ready to go in your fridge.
Save your treat meals for days you are going out to celebrate, not the ones you just feel lazy & overwhelmed!
3. Clean at least one thing
DO IT. You’ll feel like a million bucks. We’re not suggesting you deep clean your entire house, but put the dishes away. Clean the counters. Throw in a load of laundry. Vacuum the living room.
Doing one small, simple task can change the entire vibe of your casa. You know what they say, Outer order. Inner peace.
Don't believe us? Test it out! Sunday night, go to bed with your bedroom a mess: things on the floor, clothes thrown everywhere, maybe a dish sitting on your night stand. You might notice you can’t shut your brain’s never ending to-do list off as you're trying to fall asleep. You don’t sleep as restfully. You wake up cranky Monday AM.
Now, CHANGE IT. Monday night, clean it all. Put things away. Make the bed. Line up your slippers. You’ll notice that when things are put away and there is order around you, your brain can relax quicker and easier, resulting in a more restful, deep, peaceful sleep.
4. Plan your workouts
…and NEVER EVER EVER SKIP A MONDAY!!
Make a commitment to yourself to stick to your plan with a “NO MATTER WHAT” mindset.
What does that mean? Simple: No matter WHAT you are getting your ass to the gym, despite having a bad day, a fight with your spouse, a crappy lunch, you’re too tired.... etc. Whatever excuse you're telling yourself, you shut that shit down & you do one thing: you just get there & get it done.
When you make a commitment to yourself, you ELIMINATE EXCUSES. And that right there is the mindset of an ASS KICKER
5. Check your mindset
They say the last thing you think about as you're falling asleep is the FIRST thing that pops into your head when you wake up. If you go to bed dreading Monday because you hate your job and your commute sucks, and your boss is a jerk... guess what? You’re going to wake up defeated and miserable with a crappy attitude.
Instead, of thinking about how terrible your job is, think about how lucky you are to have an income. #perspective
3 BONUS TIPS: In the morning, if you happen to wake up on the wrong side of the bed here are 3 tips to change that shit A-S-A-EFFING-P.
- 1. STRETCH. Unhunch those shoulders, reach for the sky, breathe 5 deep breaths in and out. Innnnnn and OUTTTTT. Deeper this time! INNNNNNNNN and OUUUUUUUUT. Get it?
- 2. Write down 5 things you’re grateful for even if it’s painful. Even if you feel like there is nothing in your life going right. You woke up, you can walk, you can see, there's 3 things right there. What you take for granted, other people are wishing for, remember that!
- 3. Drink a big glass of warm lemon water to stimulate your digestive system and hydrate your body!!
Try these 5 Simple Tips & give us a shout! We want to know how these worked for you or other secrets you have for setting yourself up for a kickass week!
Now who is ready to SLAY the next 7 days?!!
PSST... Looking for a way to get organized? Download our free weekly planner here!