It’s almost time to close up shop for the weekend.
Time to get ready for relaxation and time off.
Do you have specific tasks that you do to finish your week, or do you leave in a flurry of disorganization?
How do you close up your week?
Make a Break For It!
Some people leave for the weekend in a blur that leaves paperwork flying, tasks half-done, and things forgotten.
However, closing out your week properly is key to an enjoyable weekend. As well, it ensures a smooth start to the following week.
Don’t set yourself up for a weekend of worrying about what you “didn’t do” before leaving.
Having the discipline to close your week is not only the secret to enjoyable time off, but being prepared when you return.
16 Things to Close Your Week
Don’t leave your week in chaos, or you will only have that much more to clean up upon your return.
Close out your tasks, finish your obligations, and do a quick review before you close up shop.
Here are 16 Things to Help Close Your Week:
(Note: These are suggested ideas… not a checklist. You aren’t supposed to do them all!)
- One More Thing – Before making that break for the parking lot, do just one more todo. That small incremental effort can make all the difference in your success.
- Complete Something – One of the best ways to close your week is to finish something. What can you complete that will give you a sense of accomplishment heading out?
- Review Your Todo list – Your todo list has your back, make sure you give it a review to ensure you have not forgotten something.
- Look at Your Calendar – What appointments are coming up in the next week? If you are aware of them, you can plan appropriately, and even resolve conflicts in advance.
- Block Your Time for Next week (and the week after) – I make it a practice to block my calendar two weeks into the future. I schedule time for my work, projects, and more. Make sure you reserve your own time before others take it.
- Call Someone – What is that phone call you have been putting off? Ironically, we carry our phones everywhere, yet we all seem to have that unreturned call. Make it before you go.
- Take a Bite of that Big Project – Starting something big right before the weekend can seem counterintuitive. However, taking that first small step can be incredibly powerful. Often, your mind will often solve problems during your off time, even when you aren’t consciously thinking about work. You will return with new ideas and solutions.
- Clean Your Office/Desk/Etc. – Ever come back from your weekend to a trashed work area? (The way you left it!) Set yourself up for a clean start to the next week by taking a few minutes to tidy up your workspace.
- Plan Something For the Weekend – Do you head into your weekend so disorganized that you don’t do anything on your time off? Plan something you enjoy. After all, a hobby will make you more productive in all areas of your life.
- Read 20 Pages of Something – Reading is another great way to “come down” from the stress of your job before the weekend. Take a few minutes to read something before you go. It can be work materials or even some light pleasure reading.
- Compliment Someone – The end of the week is a great time to thank someone for their hard work or friendship. Make it a habit to pay a few compliments to those that have made a difference in your life that week.
- Workout – Yes, a workout can pump up your weekend, too. Sometimes the best way to let off that stress is to get some physical exercise. Hit the gym or go for a run before your time off.
- Empty Your Inbox – Going home with a clean inbox can be a liberating feeling. You know that there is nothing lurking there. Here are some tips to find the bottom of your inbox.
- Reach Out and Touch Someone – Instead of sending an email, go see someone in person. It can be much more effective in getting things done and you might build a better relationship at the same time.
- Check Up on Something You Delegated – Don’t forget to follow-up on things that you delegated. Productive people delegate, but they also follow-up to ensure the items were completed.
- Walk Around – Before rushing out of the office, take a walk around your workspace. It can be a good stress reliever, and will help close up loose ends. Good leaders know that one of the best times to “walk around” the workplace is on Friday afternoon. You will see who is getting things done and it is also a great time to praise your team. (See #11.)
Close the Week
When you close out your week, make it a clean break.
Finish those final todos. Review your obligations. And plan for next week.
Then, by all means, go enjoy your time off!
How do you finish your week?
Craig,
I also feel that I have to close my week somehow. I’ll always schedule my next week – by the end of the current week.
Cheers,
Timo
Craig,
I also feel that I have to close my week somehow. I’ll always schedule my next week – by the end of the current week.
Cheers,
Timo
Craig,
I also feel that I have to close my week somehow. I’ll always schedule my next week – by the end of the current week.
Cheers,
Timo
Hey Craig,I don’t do anything I can think of, consistently, to close my week. I have a coaching session every two weeks, and that gives me good clarity, motivation and closure. I see my weekend as more of a needed break than an actual weekend. I don’t adhere very much to the typical notion of a week, with Monday being painful, and Friday being awesome because it’s the last day of work of the week.
I work 6 days a week, and take Saturday off completely. Then, I pay attention to my body and emotions, and take extra rest when needed. So my weeks and months fly by in a continuous flow, interrupted by breaks.
But you present an interesting view on work flow, and I’ll let it sink and ponder what you said :-)Cheers,Matt
Hey Craig,I don’t do anything I can think of, consistently, to close my week. I have a coaching session every two weeks, and that gives me good clarity, motivation and closure. I see my weekend as more of a needed break than an actual weekend. I don’t adhere very much to the typical notion of a week, with Monday being painful, and Friday being awesome because it’s the last day of work of the week.
I work 6 days a week, and take Saturday off completely. Then, I pay attention to my body and emotions, and take extra rest when needed. So my weeks and months fly by in a continuous flow, interrupted by breaks.
But you present an interesting view on work flow, and I’ll let it sink and ponder what you said :-)Cheers,Matt
Hey Craig,I don’t do anything I can think of, consistently, to close my week. I have a coaching session every two weeks, and that gives me good clarity, motivation and closure. I see my weekend as more of a needed break than an actual weekend. I don’t adhere very much to the typical notion of a week, with Monday being painful, and Friday being awesome because it’s the last day of work of the week.
I work 6 days a week, and take Saturday off completely. Then, I pay attention to my body and emotions, and take extra rest when needed. So my weeks and months fly by in a continuous flow, interrupted by breaks.
But you present an interesting view on work flow, and I’ll let it sink and ponder what you said :-)Cheers,Matt