How to Make Each Week More Fulfilling
What’s the first thing you do when you start a new week?
I used to stare at the seemingly endless stream of meetings on my calendar. Scroll on Instagram to avoid that Monday morning start for as long as possible. And basically, just sit in a kiddie pool of overwhelm and dread. (Quite the image, I know.)
Now, how do you end your week?
I used to slam down my laptop screen and run out of the office as quickly as possible. Certain I hadn’t done enough and vowing to tackle all those unread emails and incomplete projects next week. (Poor next week me, she didn’t know what she was in for…)
When you’re burnt out, overwhelmed, or just feeling a lack of motivation, it can be challenging to find excitement for the coming week. And if your internal narrative is telling you that you’re never doing enough anyway, taking time away to actually believe you’ve accomplished anything, much less celebrate it, seems like the plot of a far-fetched fantasy novel.
I was stuck in this cycle for many years. Then I started making a conscious effort to focus on the things I enjoy to remind myself why I’m doing what I’m doing. And why it’s worth it.
These small habits take less than 15 minutes each week and can help you live with more intention to reduce dread and anxiety from creeping in where they’re not welcome.
Start with Excitement
Excitement? But, it’s just another week. What could there possibly be to be excited about…
If each day feels like Groundhog day, it may seem like just a slew of monotonous activities to choose from. But here’s how I dig in and find what really drives me.
First thing Monday morning, before the emails start rolling in, before I jump on that first meeting, I look ahead and find 3 things I’m excited about. Seem impossible? These are the questions I ask to uncover where the excitement could come from:
1.How am I moving closer to a big goal this week?
I find one action I’m planning on taking towards a big goal. It could be meal prep to align with a health goal. Or posting a new article to share my passions with the world (hi, friends!). It may not seem like much, but I know each of these actions will add up over time, and soon enough, I’ll be able to look back and think: “Hell yeah! I did the damn thing.” That’s exciting.
2. What projects or tasks am I going to get done this week?
There’s always a lot to choose from here. The constant instream of new tasks could seem overwhelming, but I know getting to mark them off the to-do list will be such an accomplishment. I look for a proposal I’ve been working extra hard on that I’ll finally get out the door. Or think about the time I plan to spend creating templates for those repeatable tasks to help save time in the future. The accomplishment of getting something over the finish line? That’s exciting.
3. How can I improve my mindset this week?
Mindset is so huge for changing how we interpret our lives, and something I’m always working to improve. Each week is a new opportunity to make shifts and change how I talk to myself and think about the world around me. I could focus on reducing overwhelm by practicing the tools I have for time management. Or I may want to create more positivity in my week and look forward to showing up positive and proactive no matter what the week throws at me. This is a chance to improve and create a happier life. That’s exciting.
4. What self-care do I have planned for this week?
Many of us often put self-care as the lowest priority in lieu of ensuring those around us are okay. But we’ll never be able to lift those around us if we aren’t in a good place first. (Remember, put the oxygen mask on yourself first!) So I look for the plans I have in store for the week to take time for me. I may plan to take off a little early for happy hour with a friend. Or I’ll intentionally schedule nothing for Thursday evening to treat myself to a Netflix binge, free of guilt. Taking care of myself is a priority and something to look forward to. That’s exciting.
5. Will there be an opportunity to try something new or take on a new challenge?
This one has been a fun shift. New things and challenges usually bring up fear and anxiety initially. And, don’t get me wrong, they still do. But I now see these opportunities as the path forward to being a better version of myself. So when there’s something in the upcoming week that’s causing that immediate fear and anxiety…bingo! I’m going to be a better person on the other side of this. That’s exciting.
You’ll be surprised and how many things you can be excited about. The bigger challenge may be limiting your list to just 3!
End with Celebration
After a week of excitement, it would be a miss to skip an opportunity to reflect and be proud of your accomplishments.
Come Friday afternoon, whether the week flew by or was a continuous loop of one step forward and two steps back, I take a moment to celebrate my wins. My last task for a Friday afternoon, before rushing out the door to the well-deserved weekend break, I identify 3 things I accomplished this week.
Finding those wins can look like this:
1.Did I accomplish those things I was excited about for this week?
I look back at the list I made first thing Monday morning and evaluate what I was able to accomplish. The steps towards my goals, marking a big project off the to-do list, an improved mindset… Hot damn! I did it. I proved to myself I can set my mind to something and make it happen. Time to celebrate.
2. What surprises did the week have in store that I nailed?
I evaluate if there was something that wasn’t even on my radar for the week. I might have started and finished a new project or task in record time. Or I faced a challenging situation with confidence and compassion. Time to celebrate.
3. Where were there opportunities to improve this week?
Now, this may initially seem negative. But having this self-awareness and reminder of who I want to be is worth acknowledging. It’s important this doesn’t come from a place of judgment. I’m not trying to find flaws or reasons I failed. Instead, I look at this from compassion. Where are there areas I want to do better to give myself more opportunities and reduce the self-inflicted drama? I care about myself enough to identify goals for an improved me. Time to celebrate.
Now, trust me, I still feel that Monday morning dread and Friday evening overwhelm. Anxiety is still a regular part of my day wondering if today will be the day the world will come crashing down around me (thanks, brain…dramatic much?).
But these emotions are fewer and farther between. If I get too far down the emotional spiral, I have tangible reminders of where I can find joy and that I’m actually doing a pretty damn good job at adulting.
The power of these processes has helped to make each week a new adventure, an opportunity to learn and grow and become a better version of myself week to week.
How do you want to start and end your week?
Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed? Do you feel like there are always important tasks left undone, hanging over your head? It's time to take control of your productivity and prove to yourself you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
Check out the 7 Days: Consider it Done! guide to transform the way you approach your to-do list.
Say goodbye to procrastination and unfulfilled goals and hello to a sense of control and reignited passion for life. Consider it done!
