If you want to have a successful week, the secret is *drum roll, please* making the most of your Sunday. I know it’s tempting to lie on your couch and binge-watch your favorite TV show all day, but a little discipline will go a long way. Instead of viewing Sunday as the end of your weekend, treat it like it’s the beginning of your week, an opportunity for you to start fresh. I know Mondays can be rough, but I promise these 5 tips will help ease the pain.
1. Meal prep, meal prep, meal prep.
I don’t have a 9-5 so I always do my grocery shopping in the AM on weekdays. I recommend going during off hours to save as much time as possible – for example, if you hit up Costco on Saturday afternoon, lines are going to be brutal, but if you go right when they open, everything’s much more manageable.
Planning plays a huge part in my life so meal prep Sundays are an absolute must. Now, that doesn’t always mean making food ahead of time. Meal prep can also mean organizing what you’re going to eat. I write everything out in advance to be efficient and hold myself accountable.
Meal prep doesn't just mean cooking in advance, it can also mean organizing what you're going to have later to hold yourself accountable! Click To Tweet
If I don’t make something ahead of time, I make sure it’s a plate I can whip up in 15 minutes or less. Some of my go-tos are whole wheat pasta, Morningstar black bean burgers, oatmeal, veggie omelettes, avocado toasts, healthy Korean fried rice, and lean protein, brown rice + veggie bowls.
For me, chopping is a huge time suck so I make sure to get it all out of the way. I dice bell peppers, onions and jalapeños for omelettes and fried rice (basically brown rice with a lean protein, kimchi, different vegetables and some soy sauce), and then prep fruits I want to enjoy during the week.
I also make a huge pot of brown rice (with quinoa thrown into the mix) and a vat of marinara sauce with mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic and onions in advance. Now, don’t forget to prep your snacks as well. I ration almonds in baggies (which I reuse by the way) and always have a banana and protein bar on hand.
2. Organize your schedule and prioritize.
Take a half hour to plan everything out – this includes your to-do list and your weekly goals on top of events and activities. Pro tip: create mini lists for bigger tasks. You want to break things down into actionable steps so they’re more manageable. Remember not to go overboard with this! If you list everything you’ve ever wanted in life at once, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Stick with 2-3 projects and then go from there.
Create mini lists for bigger tasks to make them more manageable. Break them down into actionable steps to ensure success! Click To Tweet
I recommend purchasing a notebook and planner for this step – the former for your tasks and the latter for your schedule. These two items are my most prized possessions, and I’d be lost without them. My planner literally contains my life, and I write down all my thoughts in my notebook.
It also contains my daily to-do list. I evaluate my progress three times a day, and cross off items as I complete them. The action’s really satisfying, and it does wonders for my motivation because it’s tangible proof that I’m being productive, which inspires me to work even harder.
3. Plan outfits in advance.
This goes hand and hand with tip no. 2, and it’ll save you so much time. After you’ve organized your schedule, take 10-15 minutes to figure what you’re going to wear each day. Start by double checking your weather app – the last thing you want is to freeze your butt off or sweat up a storm – and then think about upcoming events in your calendar.
Planning takes the decision-making process out of the equation, which means stress-free mornings. If you’re doing this for your kid/s, take a look at this post by Unclutterer. Isn’t that brilliant? I’d do it for myself, but I prefer to hang my clothes because I’m OCD about wrinkles.
Lay your outfits out in advance to save you unnecessary stress in the morning! Click To TweetEither dedicate a section of your closet to these looks or do what I do and use a separate garment rack. I purchased this portable one here from Bed, Bath & Beyond not too long ago, and I really like it. It’s only $19.99, and you can get an extra 20% off with a coupon on Retail Me Not. On top of saving time, this process helps me visualize my outfits and mix things up if I feel like I’m relying too much on wardrobe favorites.
4. Complete chores.
After a hard day at work, the last thing you want to do is clean or do laundry. That’s why it’s important to do as much as possible on Sunday, when you have room to breathe. Plus, it’s just a really great way to start the week.
In fact, I clean when I’m feeling stressed because it gives me a sense of control, and in my opinion, a clear space = a clear head. I find myself much more focused when everything’s organized, and I feel crazy ADD when things are scattered. I mean, it makes sense that cleaning and organizing improves physical and mental health! Take a look at the aforementioned article to read how.
5. Schedule fun activities to look forward to.
This is a biggie, especially if you dread Mondays. It’s crucial that you incorporate fun into your schedule so you have something to look forward to. And on that note, try to find joy in small moments throughout the day.
Do you enjoy the smell of coffee brewing in the morning? Waking up to your SO? The look on your furbaby’s face when you come home from work? Enthusiasm is infectious, and your optimism will improve the quality of your life tenfold. I’m confident that you’ll find yourself looking forward to Mondays in no time!
Until next time, friends. I hope you enjoyed reading today’s post on how to make the most of your week! If you found this helpful, please take a second to share it with your friends so they can benefit as well. For more helpful how-tos click here – to browse career related posts that help you stay motivated on the daily, check this tab out.
I totally agree with everything you mentioned on your blog post, especially #1 & #4. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Jennifer!
That’s exactly how I tackle my weeks too … planning ahead of time is the way to go!
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Meal prep does take so much time, so better plan this way ahead. It is part of being organized. Thanks for sharing this!
Author
Thanks for reading! I hope you found it helpful <3
These are some great tips! I truly need to meal prep and create lists that make the task(s) so much easier.