I don’t know about you but I used to dread Mondays. I loved my job as an educator, but every Sunday afternoon Monday blues would begin to set in. After a few years of planning, I have been able to decrease my Monday blues by implementing and completing productive habits each Sunday.
By incorporating a few simple but powerful habits into your Sunday routine, you can set yourself up for success and transform your Sundays into a launching pad for the week ahead. Months and years are often seen as fresh starts, but the beginning of the week can also be seen as a fresh start.
Many call this routine a Sunday Reset. This article explains a Sunday Reset in detail and contains a FREE printable. A Sunday Reset simply means on Sunday you complete specific tasks that will allow you to set your week up for success. Depending on your home and current lifestyle, your needs on Sundays will look different.
In this article, we will explore 6 Sunday habits for a productive week which will allow you to establish a routine that promotes a successful week!
1. Clean and organize your living spaces
This is without a doubt a staple in my Sunday habits. When our homes are clean and organized, we can complete the remaining tasks with ease. A cluttered home = a cluttered mind which leads to productivity. My current Sunday cleaning and organizing staples are:
- Grocery shopping
- Cleaning the bathrooms
- Cleaning the kitchen
- Vacuuming and mopping
- Laying out outfits for the next day
Combined, these tasks can take a family team two hours or less to complete which is a huge payoff as a clean and organized home promotes less stress, less allergens, increased productivity, additional sleep, and improved moods.
Below are additional cleaning and organizing tasks that you can complete.
- Clean out your pantry and refrigerator
- Laundry
- Wash bed linen
- Complete home management responsibilities (pay your bills, review your budget, review any upcoming appointments)
- Choose a specific space in your home to declutter
- Wash and clean your car
- Shred old mail and papers
- Take out the trash
- Sweep your floors
- Clean out your work bag and children’s bookbags
- Wash your linen
2. Complete Laundry
In addition to cleaning and organizing my spaces, I complete our laundry for the week. This is the longest process (even with me washing a few loads throughout the week) so I start early on this task. This allows me to keep a steady routine going throughout the day.
3. Meal Plan
The number one question that is asked after a long day after school or work from my family members used to be without a doubt “What’s for dinner?” Creating a meal plan allows you to create a guide of meals each day and takes away the stress of the unknown.
Even if you are not able to place a grocery order or grocery shop on Sunday, having a plan or designated day to plan for food will relieve stress.
4.Reflect and Make Goals For The Week
Reflect on the previous week, identifying what went well and what could be improved upon. Based on your previous week, set out to make up to 3 goals that may align with any long-term goals that you have created. By aligning your weekly goals to your long-term goals, you are contributing to your overall growth and progress.
I have a long-term goal to become healthier each month and year. When I reflect on my previous week, I may set a goal to drink more water for the upcoming week or make a goal to decrease the amount of processed food that I eat.
Avoid overloading your schedule with a high number of goals, as this can be unrealistic but don’t overestimate the power of short-term goals. Smaller and short-term goals allow you to eat the elephant which allows you to reach long-term goals.
5. Review Your Upcoming Week
Review the upcoming week for any appointments or meetings that you may have so that you can make necessary adjustments to your schedule if needed. Reviewing your calendar or planner reminds you of meetings that you may have scheduled months or weeks ago.
If there are meetings that you have in the upcoming week but have not placed the meetings on your calendar, take the time to add the meetings to your calendar or planner.
If you don’t have a calendar or planner, I highly recommend that you invest in one. It is a staple in organizing your life. I currently use a traditional calendar where I write down all meetings and appointments. Writing down meetings and appointments allow me to remember the engagements.
6. Prioritize Your Tasks and Create An Action Plan
Our last Sunday habit for a productive week and a key element to unlocking the secret to a highly productive week starts with prioritizing your tasks. Make a to-do list each Sunday where you identify the tasks that you will complete for the day.
Prioritize your to-do list by scheduling activities that will take the most time or activities that are difficult first. When my children were younger, I would wake up an hour before they woke to complete these activities. Today I prefer to complete my cleaning and tidying activities first. In the afternoon, I relax, setting goals and reviewing my calendar.
Lastly, don’t add too many items on your to-do list. Focus on a manageable number of tasks that you know you can realistically complete. Don’t forget to include self-care and family activities!
Final Thoughts
Monday blues are not beneficial for anyone.! Incorporating simple yet powerful Sunday habits and Sunday routines for a productive week can unlock the secret to a highly productive we. Having habits and routines not only provides structure to your day but also helps create habits that support your productivity. When you consistently follow a routine, you train your brain to be more focused and efficient, allowing you to make the most out of each day.
How do you make your Sundays better?
Read Next:
The Master Declutter Home Checklist: 90 Things To Remove From Your Home Now (Free Checklist)
The 10 Tops Lists For Organization (Free Printable)
Leave a Reply