Fridays can be a combination of rushing to get things done before the end of the week and a process of deciding what can wait until Monday. Planning for the following week serves two purposes; it ensures things are not forgotten, and it can provide piece of mind for greater relaxation over the weekend. Business Insider interviewed Michael Kerr, international business speaker and author. Kerr maintains that a Friday routine can make your upcoming week smoother and more manageable.

Arrive at work on Monday with a set list of things to do and eliminate the initial chaos of figuring out where to start. Here are some tips for wrapping up Friday in a way that will spring board you into a productive workweek.

  • Take time to reflect on what you accomplished and write down priorities for the upcoming week. Consider personal priorities in your plan. Ryan Kahn, a career coach, talked to Forbes about the Monday blues. He suggested that tackling at least one unpleasant task early Monday morning gets it out of the way and can improve your mood.
  • Schedule the upcoming week. Allocate time for the items on your to-do list with deadlines. This type of planning allows you to free your mind over the weekend and stop worrying about what you need to remember to do. The upcoming week’s plan should include downtime and time for unexpected items that will inevitably come up. Understand your limitations and don’t overload yourself.
  • Spend a few minutes decluttering and organizing. A few minutes here and there can save you a week’s work later and avoid a sense of being overwhelmed. Decluttering helps you to focus and to perform more efficiently. It may also reveal forgotten jobs that need attention.

Make Friday a little different. Celebrate in some way such as an hour for exercise or a happy hour with friends. Have something to look forward to that marks the end of a hard week. Be kind to yourself and begin to shift into weekend mode. Take time to chat to colleagues and congratulate them on their accomplishments.

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