Are you weary of putting out fires all week long and never getting ahead? Do you find yourself rushing throughout your entire day? If so, I have 10 tips to effectively plan for your week ahead and have time left over for yourself.
Everybody gets the same amount of weeks in a year. But do you ever get out of bed in the morning and vow to yourself: This week I am going to [you fill in the blank here] and never get even close to doing it? We start our days with the best of intentions but somehow that one thing just doesn’t get done. Everybody’s priorities are different from the next person’s. But if you take one hour or so over the weekend, you can streamline your entire week and get more done.
10 Tips To Effectively Plan For Your Week Ahead
- Plan the Week’s Clothing. This is especially important for those that work. If you are constantly scrambling in the morning to find what you will wear each day and then have to iron it, you are wasting time. Same holds true for your children’s school clothing. Plan what you will wear to work and what your children will wear to school for 5 days. This is assuming you have clothes clean and ready to go for the week.
- Clip Coupons. Since most of us get the Sunday paper, make sure you clip coupons on Sunday. Print out internet coupons and clip as well. Here is a huge list of all places to find coupons if you do not get the Sunday paper or want more savings.
- Plan Weekly Meals. This means all meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week. Plan every detail from what you will take for lunch to what your kids will be taking for lunch. Shop accordingly throughout the week or over the weekend.
- Meal Prep for the Week. Once you get home from grocery shopping, clean all fruits and vegetables. Portion size all fruits, vegetables, snacks etc. for lunches throughout the week. Make sure all cheese and vegetables get chopped, diced or sliced so dinner preparation will be quick. On the weekends, I freeze my son’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the week’s lunches or after school snack. I use this time saving tool for everything I chop in the kitchen.
- Fill ’em Up: Get gas for your car over the weekend so you do not spend time waiting in lines before work or during busy rush hours. Charge all cell phones so they are ready to go on Monday morning.
- Take it Back. Return all library books, video or game rentals on Sunday night so you do not have to make unnecessary stops during the week or incur late fees.
- Pay bills. Make sure all bills are paid on the weekend, stamped and ready to be mailed so you do not incur late fees or penalties.
- Night before. Every night before bedtime, have lunches packed, clothes ironed and ready to go for the next day. Prep as much food as possible for breakfast e.g. premix pancake or waffle batter, etc.
- Gym. If you belong to a gym and go after work, make sure your gym bag is ready to go before morning. To go one step further, put it in your car so you don’t forget it.
- Seasonal adjustments. If you drive to work make sure you change tires and windshield wipers for the season. Make sure you keep an umbrella in the car for rainy mornings so you are not looking for it in the mornings.
If you get into the habit of taking time out over the weekend – just an hour or so – you will find your week ahead less stressful overall.
Do you have any ways that you use to make your week go smoother?