We hear: “Monday …” and immediately add on the machine – “a hard day.” But he shouldn’t be like that! What should be done on Sunday to facilitate the start of workdays?
As much as I would like to be the person who shows up to work on Monday on time, after a morning workout, with a fresh head and a pre-cooked lunch, unfortunately, this is not about me! I get up late by hitting the snooze button on my alarm several times. I can barely open my eyes, because all night I told myself: “I’ll watch one more episode of the series and I’ll definitely go to bed.” I trudge to make breakfast, and finish my coffee already in the car.
There is nothing good in this, it brings stress and irritation, it interferes with a productive start to a busy week. So I made a list of things to do on the weekend to make it easier to get through the weekdays.
1.STUDY THE WORK CALENDAR
It is unpleasant to suddenly realize that five meetings are scheduled for the morning in a row, or to forget about the planned lunch. To prevent this from happening, take a look at the calendar on Sunday and carefully study what things are planned for the coming days.
Do you have business trips coming up? Perhaps some meeting needs to be canceled or agreed on something? Check what is missing from the list. By evaluating the number of planned tasks in advance, you will feel that it is easier to deal with them. Don’t forget to set aside time for pleasant things: dates, meetings with friends, walking the dog.
2.PREPARE SOME FOOD FOR THE WEEK
I’m not suggesting industrial-scale stocking or spending the weekend in the kitchen. However, it is worth taking some time to prepare food for the coming week. Everyone is different: some people prefer to immediately cook a bunch of dishes and send them to the freezer, the second ones are guided by the products that are in the refrigerator, the third ones go to the supermarket (or online store) and choose what they need. The habit of thinking through the menu for the week will not only help you eat better, but also save you from the hassle. For example, returning from work at eight in the evening, you will not think about what to cook for dinner, there will be no need to go to the store after a long and difficult day.
3.CLEAN UP THE APARTMENT
Notice I didn’t say “clean up”. Of course, if you like to spend your weekends cleaning, please: you can arm yourself with a vacuum cleaner, a mop and a few detergents, turn on your favorite music and get to work. But if this is too much for you, spend 15 minutes cleaning up the mess. Clear the kitchen table, clean the bathroom mirror, sort out your make-up bag, get rid of the receipts.
Take a look around the apartment and spend a few minutes on each area where you notice a mess. Keep looking around until the house looks almost presentable. Nothing is worse than rolling out of bed on a Monday morning and immediately running into a mountain of unsorted clean (at best) laundry.
4.MAKE A TO-DO LIST FOR MONDAY
Arriving at the office after the weekend, you do not know what to grab onto: sorting email, answering messages, or doing tasks marked in the scheduler? Making a short to-do list or plan for Monday morning Sunday when you are calm and focused enough will help you prioritize and start the week more efficiently.
5.GET TO SLEEP EARLY
This will allow you to wake up on Monday morning rested. Believe me, this is not a trifle. I can’t count how many Mondays were wasted due to lack of sleep. I really don’t want to go to bed, it’s more interesting to endlessly scroll through the Instagram feed. However, put your phone down, turn off the lights, and start counting sheep.
Your body and mind will thank you for a good rest. Your partner, friends and colleagues will also say thank you. If you find it difficult to go to bed early, give yourself an extra hour to calm down before bed.
6.RELAX
I repeatedly enjoyed idleness all weekend long, and by Sunday evening I was covered with guilt. I don’t think it’s just my problem. To avoid it, move things to Saturday, and devote the second day off to yourself. Get a massage, read, eat something healthy, go for a walk with friends, take a hot bath, do a facial, watch a movie, choose any activity that will help you start the week fresh and rested.