Do you ever feel like you roll into Monday dragging the weekend baggage behind you? Instead of setting yourself up for boundless success, you’re somehow starting in the hole? I’ve definitely felt this way. What we do on Sunday can be the difference between an extraordinary week or one we’re just surviving through. Sunday is the day that I spent prepping for the week. As hectic as the schedules are of the people in our house, prepping for the week is essential.
But how should I prepare for the week ahead on Sunday?
Here are easy ideas to both recharge and prepare for an insanely successful week ahead.
The 13 Best Sunday Habits
1. BEGIN THE DAY AT YOUR OWN PACE
First, I’m not going to suggest getting up early (unless you want to)! Quite the opposite. It’s Sunday for goodness sakes! So, start the day on a leisurely note. Let yourself sleep a little later, or enjoy coffee with Sunday news. Snuggle up with the kiddos or fur babies. Savor those little morning moments. It’s the weekend, and part of having an amazing week is taking the time to replenish your soul at least one day of the week.
2. MEAL PREP (IN 4 STEPS)
Next, you knew I was going to meal prepping. Healthy meals are hard to pull off when you’re ill-prepared and have nothing in the fridge. So, check out these four key ways to set yourself up for a healthy and organized week.
A. Clean Out The Fridge
Throw out anything that’s been in there longer than a week. Then, take inventory of what needs to be used up!
B. Plan Meals
Next, use your inventory to plan out your meals for the week. If you’re not used to doing this, then just start with dinners! Your simple plan will make a HUGE difference, and it will cut down on the health and money costs of eating out.
C. Grocery Shop
If you’ve got the time, hit the store and get yourself the healthy food you know you’ll need to start the week right. Pick up items for your meal plan as well as healthy snacks.
D. Prepare ONE Make-Ahead Food
Lastly, prepare ONE food. Make some overnight oats for a few mornings or prep just one or two salads for lunches.
But, start small. It’s more about setting the tone for the rest of the week than becoming a meal prep guru. We’re realistic here!
3. REFLECT ON THE WEEK
This is one of the Sunday habits that often gets overlooked. A small amount of reflection is key to improving our days and weeks. Without it, you’re just repeating the same old mistakes. So, start with these two questions:
What went well over the last week?
First, celebrate 2-3 small wins! How often do you take the time to acknowledge your successes? Do it now!
What needs improvement?
Next, what didn’t go so well? Why? And how can you adjust going into the next week?
4. SET YOUR GOALS
I accomplish more and take better care of myself when I have a few goals to work towards during the week. Luckily, Sunday prep day is the best time to decide what those should be! Add an accountability piece and tell or text your goals to someone. Then, push each other to make progress!
5. PLAN YOUR WEEK
Using your goals and reflections, plan the most critical actions that need to be done in the coming week. Decide on those few tasks that will help you meet your goals. Next, make note of mandatory obligations for the week (kid activities, scheduled meetings, etc.) Then, prioritize your to-do list.
6. ORGANIZE IMPORTANT PAPERS
How is it that by the end of the week our kitchen desk is FULL of papers?
It comes from everywhere! Likewise, if you have kids in school, you know that it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by their overabundance of stuff.
Yet, Sunday is the best time to recycle and sort what needs to be put away! So, set a timer for 10 minutes and DO IT.
And, if your email has also been neglected, open it up and sort it out as well.
Tie up loose ends with emails, bills, or urgent papers and give yourself a fresh start come Monday.
7. CLEAN UP
Of what to do on Sunday, this is my least favorite task on the list. BUT, it feels so much better to wake up Monday morning to a home that doesn’t look like a hurricane hit it! This dedicated cleaning time can be a full scrub down or simply tidying up for 10 minutes on Sunday night. Turn on your favorite music or podcast! Different things work for different personalities here, but be sure to devote a little time to clean-up what matters.
8. BE WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS
Whether through church, a family night, or a get-together with friends, it’s essential to reconnect with others before the long week ahead. Schedule in leisure time on Sunday to feed your soul with true technology-free fun.
9. PRACTICE SELF CARE & RELAX
Often, the weekdays are so jam-packed that the weekend is our only option to take care of ourselves. So, spend time exercising outside, relax in a ritualistic Sunday night bath, or spend an hour every week reading a good book with a cup of coffee. But, don’t leave this step out!
10. CHECK YOUR BUDGET
No, this one’s not fun, but it is necessary. We all have financial goals we’re striving for. To make those a reality, it’s important to routinely check in with your budget. This doesn’t mean hours covered in bills and receipts. Simply, take 10 minutes to find out how much you’ve spent over the week so you know if you need to adjust.
The other days of the week don’t allow much time, so make Sunday a quick money check-in day.
11. DO LAUNDRY
I’m not a fan of doing tons of laundry during the week. I’ve tried one load daily, but it just feels like I’m doing laundry ALL THE DANG TIME. I prefer to get the bulk of it done over the weekend so I can focus on more important tasks during the week. If you feel the same way, be sure to add this to your weekend to-do list!
12. PREPARE FOR MONDAY
As Sunday winds down, make your to-do list for Monday. What can you knock out on the first day of the week to make the rest of the week easier? “Eat that frog” and plan to get the toughest actions done first. Next, set out what you need for the next morning (computer, coffee, lunches, outfit, etc). When you run around like a crazy person Monday morning, it sets a bad precedent for the week. Avoid that with a little preparation.
13. GO TO BED EARLY
And of course, we know how essential sleep is to productivity and health. Regardless of how the rest of the week goes, start Monday feeling fresh and full of energy. Make a point to hit the hay early on Sunday nights. If nothing else, it helps you start your week with a much better attitude.
Something To Think About
Obviously, these don’t have to only be done on Sunday! Often, it’s easier to split this list between Saturday and Sunday so there’s plenty of time for all.
Here’s a recap of the must-do actions:
I guarantee that if you commit to accomplishing at least HALF of this Sunday checklist, you will have an insanely focused, productive, and successful week.
Check out these for other beneficial ideas for what to do on Sundays…
Get out in nature
Have sex with your partner
Plan out your exercise for the week
Plan out your outfits for the week
Wash your sheets, pillows, etc.
Pack equipment you know you’ll need later in the week
Make a batch of cold coffee or a pitcher of tea/fruit water
Go on a weekly long run or walk
Buy yourself flowers for work or home
Write an inspirational quote somewhere in your home
Call a family member or friend
Unplug from social media (even just a few hours is beneficial!)
Volunteer
Journal about life (find clarity)
Article taken, in part, from: https://healthyhappyimpactful.com/sunday-habits-successful-week
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