Productivity

10 Ways to be Productive on a Sunday & Get Ahead of the Week

posted on November 1, 2019 | by Dana Rae

10 Ways to be Productive on a Sunday & Get Ahead of the Week

I love a good Sunday Funday. However the older I’ve gotten, I find that I prefer to take time in between the fun to prepare for the week ahead. I’m sure we all have experienced having spent some Mondays playing catch up rather than actually getting anything productive done. So instead of dreading a new week of work and responsibilities, I’ve started making the most of my Sundays. Which ultimately has helped me to take on each week with a more positive and willing attitude.

Here are a few things you can incorporate into your Sunday routine to help you feel better prepared and get ahead of the week.

WRITE OUT WEEKLY TASKS IN A PLANNER

I always find that if I plan my week ahead and write everything out on paper, my week tends to feel less stressful. I’ll usually take 30 minutes on Sunday to fill in my calendar including appointments, deadlines, meetings, phone calls, and any other miscellaneous daily tasks. Get creative; color code tasks, leave a space to journal your thoughts or write out your favorite quote to give some inspo during the week.

PRIORITIZE YOUR TO-DO LIST

After I write everything out in my planner, I’ll go through my list of daily tasks and projects to accomplish for the week and prioritize them all. This can look different for everyone, but generally, I like to list my top three tasks for each day and top three goals for the week overall. This helps me stay focused throughout the week while also working through the rest of my daily tasks.

SET YOUR ALARM TO GET UP EARLY

I’m usually not a morning person unless I set an alarm ahead of time to force myself to wake up early. Setting your alarm for the same time each day is key especially if you want to schedule in some gym time or a few extra minutes to grab a coffee on the way to work. Not a morning person either? Here is a morning routine you can actually stick to.

PLAN YOUR OUTFITS

There is nothing worse than scrambling in the morning trying to find an outfit to wear. Laying out your clothes, including shoes and accessories can help you feel more confident and prepared for each day ahead. It may take a bit of your time initially, but it will be one less thing that you have to stress over while you’re half-awake in the morning.

TIDY UP YOUR HOME

Take 15 or 30 minutes to clean up around your home. Pick up any clothes lying around, put fresh sheets on your bed, clean any dishes in the sink, clear any clutter on your counters (anything that you can tackle quickly that will help you feel more relaxed and organized). If you have extra time on your hands and want to organize your closet – this article has some helpful tips!

PRACTICE SELF CARE

Take some time for YOU. Whether that looks like grabbing coffee with a friend, taking a workout class or doing a little at-home spa treatment with a face mask or mani. Self-care is so important for our well being. And taking the time to care for ourselves can often help us feel our best.

CONFIRM ANY PLANS WITH FRIENDS AHEAD OF TIME

Life gets busy and plans can change in a moment’s notice. So I always like to reach out to friends to confirm any happy hours, dinner dates or concerts a few days ahead. This way if plans change, I know ahead of time and have the option to make other plans without feeling stressed last minute. And if plans are confirmed, I have something fun to look forward to in the midst of my busy week.

MEAL PREP

It’s easy to get caught up during a busy week and end up surviving off of wine and take-out. To avoid this, I like to make a trip to Trader Joe’s so that I can stock up on the essentials and also plan my meals ahead of time. Not only do I save money, but I also feel better eating healthier foods throughout the week.

REST & RELAX

Take a nap, listen to your favorite podcast or kick back with your favorite book and a glass of wine (anything that will allow yourself to unwind and help clear your mind). Even if it’s 30 minutes, anything helps.

GO TO BED EARLY

Nothing feels better than waking up on a Monday well-rested. So put away your phone, complete your nightly skincare routine and hit the lights.

What are some habits you’ve created to be more prepared for the week ahead? Tell us in the comments below so we can all take note!