How to set yourself up for a productive week

Being home almost all the time is a breading ground for unproductive habits. When I first finished school, I went a little crazy with the amount of nothing I did. After 5 years of school and internships, I felt like I earned the break. But, it’s been almost 6 months now and it’s high time I became a productive member of society again. 

I have tackled productivity tips and tricks in the past, including tips for productive mornings and working/studying form home effectively, plus apps for organization and productivity. But, today, I want to go a little deeper and talk about setting yourself up for a productive week. So, I’m sharing 5 (but really 6) things that I try to do on the weekend to facilitate productivity during the week.

1. Clean

I tend to build up a lot of mess and general clutter in my life throughout the week. By Friday, my clothes are all over the place, the fridge is a mess and I can barely see my desk beneath all the paper piled on there. So, I use part of Sunday mornings to make my space clean and liveable again. Because starting off a week with crap everywhere and everything out of place is a recipe for disaster.

Aside: Voluntary deciding to clean is how I know I’m becoming an adult

2. Make a list

My brain is always full of arbitrary ‘to-dos’, from post and recipe ideas to errands I need to run. But, having all those ideas and thoughts floating around in my head just stresses me out. And when I’m stressing, I’m the least productive person ever. So, at the end of the weekend, I like to do a brain dump of all the things I want to accomplish in the coming week. 

2b. Fill in your calendar

Even though I’m mostly working on my own time these days, I’ve found that structure and deadlines, even if they’re self-imposed, are necessary for me to get things done. So, once I’ve done my to-do list brain dump, I go in and schedule things into my calendar and set up all the necessary reminders and alerts.

Related: My top 4 apps for organization and productivity (and how I use them)

3. Grocery shop & meal prep

Having healthy snacks and food on hand is always a good idea. But, prepping can be time consuming, and can take up a huge chunk of your busy weekday schedule. I get a discount at my local grocery store on Tuesdays, so I do my big shop and meal prep on that day. But, if you don’t have that kind of time in the middle of the week, I definitely recommend getting these two things out of the way on the weekend. 

Related: 5 tips for healthy food shopping on a budget,  5 essentials for healthy snacking 

4. Take some ‘you’ time

You ever wake up on Monday morning and feel like you need a weekend to get over the weekend you just had? Yea, me too. So, I try to power down a little earlier than normal on Sunday nights and take some time for myself. Sometimes I read a book, or do some yoga or even listen to music and have a full out pamper session. Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that relaxes you and helps you end your weekend on a good note. 

Related: 5 tips to help you relax without feeling guilty

5. Get enough sleep

Not getting enough sleep is another reason for that ‘I need another weekend, ASAP’ feeling. I hate those Mondays when I wake up groggy and a caffeine drip before I can get going. I usually end up being ridiculously unproductive on Monday and having to make up for it during the rest of the week, which leads to even more stress. Basically, a sleep deprived Monday really sets a bad tone for the rest of the week. So, do yourself a favour, and get a good rest on Sunday night.

What about you?

• What do you do to help you have a productive week?
• Any productivity hacks to add?

Share in the comments below!

 

 

 

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