By Craig Jarrow
Most people charge into their week without planning.
Without even knowing where they are going or what they need to get done.
Sound familiar?
Start Your Week Checklist
Everyone wants to be more organized and have less life friction during their work week.
However, most do not want to spend hours and hours managing their workload.
Here is a simple 10-step Checklist to help you start your week:
Calendar – Checking your calendar should always be one of the first things you do. What appointments and deadlines are sneaking up on you? Not just this week but in the next two.
Todo List – Your todo list should always have your back, but you have to look at it. Review your list before you start work so that you can determine your priorities for the day and week.
Review Last Week’s Notes – Too many people charge forward without first taking a look back. Like your todo list, if you never look at your notes they can’t help you. Always review your notes from the previous week. Otherwise, you risk overlooking undocumented tasks, promised deliverables and other loose ends.
Plan – Making a plan for your week can help avoid conflicts, overlaps, and other confusion. Use your calendar to not only schedule your time, but to block out your work.
Prepare – Planning is good, but preparing is better. This is the extra effort that many don’t do. Planning your day is good, you know where you need to be. However, did you prepare for that meeting? Or gather the supplies for that client presentation? Ensure you do your homework.
Get Something Done Early – Do an important or simple task right away. Many choose to follow Brian Tracy’s advice of “eating the frog” early. In other words, do something first that you don’t want to do. Either way, by getting a task done right away, you will build productivity momentum that will carry you forward.
Do Something Your Weren’t Going to Do – Always add one thing from your Someday/Maybe list to your todo list. Otherwise, that list grows infinitely and becomes a Someday/Never list. Always do one thing that you weren’t going to do.
Attack that Email – This one is going to bother some. Get into my email before I start my day? Yes. This is doubly important if you left your inbox full of stuff at the end of the previous week. Get your inbox cleaned up. Get emails filed and tasks added to your list. This is a perfect time to respond to emails or send delegated tasks. Your messages will be at the top of everyone’s inbox when they start their week.
Clean Up Your Desk – A clean desk makes for a more productive workspace. Always dedicate 5-10 minutes at the start of your week to tidy up your workspace.
Positive Attitude – The last and perhaps most important thing to prepare before starting your week is your attitude. It alone will determine much of what you accomplish. Even if you have an arduous path ahead, put on your positive attitude.
A Little Preparation
It doesn’t take much effort to get your week started on the right path.
A little bit of preparation can make all the difference in your week.
Do a few of these checklist items and you will be ahead of the pack.
Do them all, and you will amaze your family and co-workers.
And best yet, do them everyday…
https://timemanagementninja.com/2012/03/a-10-step-checklist-to-start-your-week-right/