A 5-Step Sunday Strategy That Unlocks Weekly Success
Stop watching your weeks go by without actually accomplishing anything. Use these five steps and watch your week transform.
As I write this, it’s a Sunday evening.
I spent most of the day with the family with a short nap tucked in-between playtimes. It was a good day. A day of rest. A day of rejuvenation. I’m feeling good as I think about the week ahead.
But it’s not just because it’s a new week. It’s because I have a strategy that I’ve implemented on Sundays that sets me up for success every single week.
Okay, disclaimer: Not every single week. Who has ever had a week that goes entirely according to plan?
But this strategy helps me hit my weekly goals more often than not.
If you want to increase your chances of having a successful week, give this 5-step Sunday strategy a try:
- Set your intention for the week.
- Make a list of what needs to be done.
- Schedule time for the important stuff.
- Let go of what you can’t control.
- Relax and recharge.
Let’s break down each and see how they work together to create a successful week:
1. Set your intention for the week.
I once read that what you focus on expands. So if you want a successful week, start by setting the intention for it.
What does that mean, exactly? It means taking a few minutes on Sunday to think about what you want to accomplish in the next seven days.
Do you want to focus on your health and fitness? Spend more time with family and friends? Grow your business?
Whatever it is, get clear on what you want and set the intention to make it happen.
In the weeks I don’t set an intention up front, I always feel like I’m just going through the motions. But when I take the time to think about what I want to achieve, everything feels more purposeful.
And when purpose is unleashed, success is sure to follow.
2. Make a list of what needs to be done.
Who doesn’t love a good list?
Not me.
Seriously. When I see a list of tasks, I feel paralysis creep in. It’s like my brain can’t handle the weight of it all.
But here’s the thing: A list is only as good as its purpose.
For me, a list is a way to dump everything that’s swimming around in my head onto paper (or screen). And once it’s out of my head, I can focus on what’s in front of me.
So if you find yourself getting overwhelmed by your to-do list, ask yourself this question: What is the purpose of this list?
Is it to help you feel less stressed? To give you a sense of accomplishment when you check things off? Or to remind you of what needs to be done?
Answering that question will help you create a list that actually works for you instead of against you.
Now, set out to list all the things you need to do to have a successful week. Big projects, small tasks, it doesn’t matter. Just get it all out of your head and onto paper.
3. Schedule time for the important stuff.
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is not scheduling time for the things that are important to them.
If you want to have a successful week, you need to make time for the things that matter most to you.
That might mean blocking off an hour each day for exercise or scheduling a weekly date night with your partner.
Whatever it is, make sure it’s on your calendar. And treat it like any other appointment you would never miss. Because the truth is, if it’s important to you, you should never miss it.
For me, it’s family time and recreation. I have a standing date with my oldest son weekly to grab a donut and hang out, and I need a few good walks (or runs) in my week to shake out the stresses of work.
When those things are on my calendar, I’m much more likely to make them happen. And when I make them happen, I have a successful week.
4. Let go of what you can’t control.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is to focus on what I can control and let go of what I can’t.
It’s so simple, but it’s also so true.
There are always going to be things beyond our control. The weather, other people’s actions, traffic, you name it. And when we focus on those things, we just end up feeling stressed and frustrated.
Instead, focus on what you can control. You can control your reaction to the weather, you can control how you spend your time, and you can control your attitude.
When you focus on what you can control, you’ll find that you have a lot more power than you thought. And with that power comes the ability to create a successful week.
5. Relax and recharge.
This one is important.
In order to have a successful week, you need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. That means taking time to relax and recharge.
For me, that looks like reading before bed, taking a yoga class, or going for a walk in nature. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just something that helps you relax and recharge.
When you take care of yourself, you’re better able to take care of everything else in your life. So make sure you’re making time for self-care. Your mind, heart, and soul will thank you for it.
You Only Get This Week Once
Remember, you only get this week once. You never know what may come next, so make this time you have count.
Do the things that are important to you. Schedule time for the things that matter most. And let go of what you can’t control.
When you do those things, you’ll find that you have a lot more power than you thought. And with that power comes the ability to create a successful week.
So go out there and make it happen — and watch as your life transforms in the process.
