Fridays. Sometimes we wait for them all week long. The workday is over and we just can’t wait to get the weekend started. By taking a few simple steps first, we can get our weekend going on the right note AND be well prepared for the Monday ahead.
5 Things to Do on Friday to Make Monday Better
- Clear your work space. Walking away from a messy work space always makes me go into the weekend with some clutter on my mind. It also means that as we get closer to Monday, we will likely be thinking about and dreading having to go back to a mess. Clear your work space and clear your mind.
- Count your “Ta Da’s” for the week. Take a moment to reflect on your successes for the week. Too often we create To Do lists but we rarely take the time to celebrate what we’ve accomplished so far. End the week on a positive note.
- Plan your top priorities for next week. Look over any goals you set for the current week but have not yet achieved. Can they be released? Do they need to be revised? If they need to be rebooted and added to next week’s list, assign them a priority of 1 (most important) to 3 (least important). This will help you begin to form next week’s action plan when you’re ready to tackle that (that’s a Sunday evening task for me).
- Take a breather. If you have a commute, you can do this then. If not, you might wish to take a few moments before leaving work simply to sit, perhaps with a cup of tea and just consciously relax and let go of the stress of the week before going home. You can also take a few moments to journal, doodle, sketch, or Zentangle as a way of release. Another great idea (and this works for those who work from home too) is one I got from my aunt and uncle. On each door to their house and over my aunt’s desk, they have stickers posted that say “25 Seconds” on them. It reminds them to take 25 seconds to focus on what’s important in their lives and how much they love their families before greeting them at the end of the work day. it helps in leaving that stress and frustration from your day behind instead of perhaps taking the grumpiness out on each other.
- Bring on the weekend! You don’t have to have big huge Friday night plans but do find some way to delineate it from the rest of the week. Perhaps every Friday night is takeout night and you give yourself a break from cooking by indulging in your favourite takeout food. Or maybe it’s family game night. Or maybe it’s the night you let the kids decorate your dining table with their own idea for a centerpiece. Or maybe the whole family does some yoga together before dinner. Create some kind of Friday night tradition that helps make that transition from work mode to play mode.
Maureen says
Before I leave the office Friday I make sure all phone messages and emails are taken care of! When I get home I clean the kitchen! Friday is often our “take-out” night, so I spend the first half an hour making the sure the kitchen is neat and tidy because nothing makes me grumpier than having to spend the weekend in a messy kitchen!